The Man He Killed

Yet again war has broken out, and brother is killing brother.  So I am thinking of this poem by Thomas Hardy today:

The Man He Killed

by

Thomas Hardy
1840 –1928

"Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!

"But ranged as infantry,
And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me,
And killed him in his place.

"I shot him dead because--
Because he was my foe,
Just so: my foe of course he was;
That's clear enough; although

"He thought he'd 'list, perhaps,
Off-hand like--just as I--
Was out of work--had sold his traps--
No other reason why.

"Yes; quaint and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown."

And still all around us is the tender and splendid beauty of the creation. The photo above is of an Early Purple Orchid, and is our calendar picture for March - taken by the gallant Captain of course.

A bad night on Saturday - paying for that 20 minutes standing I had to do by our wounded car on Friday.  If I had thought ahead I would have taken it very easy on Saturday, just rested, and it might not have had such a bad effect.  An even worse night on Sunday - a lot of pain.  Right ankle this time.  And I am still in pain this morning, though I can now hobble about without my zimmer, which is always a good sign.

It reminds me why I can no longer go door to door though - not only can I not do the walking but standing at the doorstep talking to people would cripple me.  

However, I have decided to pioneer this month and the next - just the 15 hours witnessing a month, which I would hope to achieve anyway. But it is good to make the commitment and hopefully - obviously - to exceed it.  I have some new territory to write to, another request for Not Home letters and a Bible study to re-start this week, so as long as my hands continue to work - alongside my brain (oh dear) - it should not be a problem.

Surely, in the face of all the horrors going on in the world, people are looking for a government that does care for us, that can really help us - the heavenly one, the Kingdom of God.

Col took over on Monday as I zimmered painfully and slowly about.  He made the soup for lunch and made supper. An omelette for him, just some toast for me (I am not feeling very hungry). He always does the breakfasts.  I was at least able to empty the dishwasher at the end of the day.  And I had my usual two Zoom sessions in the morning, which did take my mind off the pain a bit.

I am just waiting to be able to take my painkillers  - another ten minutes and I should be there.

The plumber comes today to fit the new tap in my bathroom.  Life goes on, for some, tragically not for others caught up in the current horrors in the Middle East. 

I am grateful still to be here, even though in pain, seeing the quiet and beautiful sunrise over the English Channel - a gull just flew across, a perfect note in the symphony of morning.  Yet another masterpiece from our Grand Creator, Jehovah.  It fills me full of hope, in spite of everything.