Shadows form in the absence of the sun The gleaming moon present on the horizon Trees dancing to an empty sound. Their leaves fluttering off in the wind. Tonight no howl is present from the midnight wolves. No reassurance from the crickets that all is well. The sound of the ocean is but a fond memory. Tonight something is different. Tonight the world is hollow. It is empty. No rhythm for comfort As I walked through that valley of death and approached my general, I didn’t feel. I couldn’t hear. It was I that was hollow; I that was empty. Words were useless here. I handed my general the letter. Motionless he read it. No sounds dared leave his mouth. Lighting a smoke, he handed the letter back to me and nodded. He sent me on my way. As I walked back to our encampment over countless of our fallen countrymen. I read the letter myself. TO GENERAL ROSEN CEASE ALL OPERATIONS. THE WAR IS OVER. RETURN TO CAMP TO AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTION. September 2, 1945