Life is the terrible war in which

everyone dies.

But you might win anyway,

facing the beast bravely,

screaming your truth,

,at least once,

to the one you love

lying together in your muddy, bloody foxhole,

guns blazing against the unbeatable foe

until all your ammo is spent.

Or,

(to switch metaphors in mid-stream,

as is frequently required

in a fire-fight

or on laundry-day…)

once, softly, friendly-like’

to an accommodating stranger

you will never meet again,

waiting on a ticket line for a play

you will both watch

but not see the same way

and you leave the theatre

wiser, laughing,

having enjoyed the resolution

but with such a different lesson,

(the only one you need)

and you learn it

and it is enough

for this time around.