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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I seem to be living in slow motion these days and I can't blame having the wisdom tooth pulled - that stopped bothering me after the second day. Mind you, I haven't slept well or long for a few nights now, so that doesn't help much.

The Man He Killed

"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 shopt 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--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."

Thomas Hardy
1840 - 1928

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