War Poetry

He Did Not Return From Battle

Why is everything wrong? It all seems the same
The same sky, blue again
The same forest, same air and water
Only he did not return from battle

I cannot understand now, who of us was right
In our restless disputes at night
And I’m missing him only now
When he did not return from battle

He'd go silent at an awkward time
Sing along out of tune and talk a different matter
He’d keep me awake, then get up at sunrise
And yesterday he did not return from battle

So empty it feels now, need I mention
There were two of us, I’ve noticed
Wind so suddenly blew off my fire
When he did not return from battle

Now spring has burst out of captivity
By mistake I’ve hailed him
“Friend, leave a smoke!” – And silence in answer:
Yesterday he did not return from battle

Our dead won’t leave us in trouble
Our fallen as sentries stand
Sky reflects in forest, as in water
And the blue trees stand tall

In our dug-out, we’ve had plenty of room
Even time was streaming for two there
All for me alone now. But it seems,
It is I who did not return from battle

by Vladimir Vysotsky

http://youtu.be/IMQnDs6DGsc