the floor made a noise
it gave
and I was there, finally rested
finally ready to do it
for my mother, my father, my country
Thou Father
the troops are aligning
I hear them moving around downstairs as well as upstairs
it will commence soon enough
even sooner it will end again
we are all here, waiting
to be ready again
how they scuffle enrages me, who dares
halt, who goes
they have arrived
the oil lamps went out and the storm rolled open the windows
but let it be known, let it be written — we were ready
here it goes