I am in a field watching the enemy advance roughly in my direction

They have no real idea that I am here which is to my advantage

As it is likely that they would try to kill me

Which is not a very pleasant thought

Quite why I am here confuses me

As my platoon was here last night

Yet now I am quite alone

The enemy soldiers are now heading fully in my direction

They will be in this field in about twenty minutes

A lot of these soldiers will die in this field

It will be their final resting place

I have spent the last hour studying the flowers and grasses nearby

It is an area of abundant beauty which does not deserve its fate

I have seen the odd rabbit today which reminds me of home

Rabbits are one of my favourite animals

I used to keep them as pets

They too will suffer

I have chosen to return to my home

As it is full of booby traps and mines

I have no argument with these men

I have no wish to see them die

My wife will be waiting for me

Many of these soldiers have sweethearts

Many have wives sisters mothers and female friends

They are very like me

But I have the option of retreat

I will be home very soon enjoying brown soup

At the wooden farm house table

I can see planes in the sky

I did not expect planes

It is likely that I might be spotted

My advantage is fading as I write

I am enjoying brown soup

At the farm house table

Pearl Barley is my wife’s name

She was born in this village

And knows little of these wars

I tell her not to worry

As one cannot perish in Dream Wars

That is physically impossible

In a few minutes the enemy soldiers

Will walk into the minefield

They will stumble

Booby traps

War is Hell

But some men

Love War

I do feel a little guilt

As they are not dreaming

They are not Dream Soldiers

Reality Kills