The truck roars. The men are singing. I can see the soldier lying on his back, next to his helmet.
* * *
Was he for me or against me
I will never know
They resemble each other so closely in death
And the color of their blood is the same.
* * *
When was that? Almost five months have passed since then. The family has long since been informed. Some official in some office has picked up the letter, on which was written, "Please inform in case of... "
* * *
But I know - he also had a mother
And a father is waiting for him far away
Somewhere they are sitting and thinking of
The son who does not return.
* * *
Strange. His head lay on his arm as though he was sleeping. A little boy lost, sleeping by the side of the road.
* * *
You, mother - your son is tired and is resting
asleep among the flowers in the field
I greeted your son there
For he was a human being.
* * *
Human - strange word. In our generation there are no humans. There are only Germans, British, Russians, Arabs, or Israelis. They have a right to exist only in the framework of their nation. In their cradles babies already learn to stand to attention. You are an Israeli-stand to attention! You should sing children’s songs and read chil-dren’s books which the nation has composed for you - stand at ease! You can also play-war games of course! Then when you are at school you will learn how, since the creation of the Earth, your people has killed others and been killed by others. The rest is unimportant - line up in three rows! Pay attention to the way the adults of your people