The Living Unknown Soldier

Came about as a result of reading the tragic story of "Anthelme Mangin," the Frenchman repatriated from Germany near the end of WWI--more willing to be oblivious than to remember past horrors.

You--maddening memory.

What an irremediable situation.

My present made from my past--

Destroying every ounce of hope.

No remedy for the witnessed evils.

 

My will subjugated by your hard facts.

Powerless, I let you bend me, ruin me.

To deny you is to deny myself as I am--

Must I then choose living oblivion?

Even if I do, it will only be a narcotic--no cure.

 

You--merciless memory.

Can nothing I do help my own pain?

Vain denial.  Unbearable force.

Enviable resting places of the dead--

All three pulling me into utmost sorrow.