To one who fell

To one who fell

why do they say he fell in the war

as if he'd tripped over his rifle 

or pack 

had gone to his knees 

in the mud 

and struggled back to his feet 

a moment

in the course of his work

when he fell 

for no reason 

other than 

weary

and weak 

and was raised again 

by some hands 

why do they say he fell in the war 

when they saw he was killed 

that he lies

in the mud

never to rise