His open eyes, one catching the sun, br shining towards me – presumably br they still function optically: br recording, unmoved, unmoving, my presence; br br this dead soldier, sodden in the ditch, br half his body peaceful, as if br welcoming his death; the other half br unmentionable; animals must eat; br br his eyes recording my presence, yet br the brain now with no need br to question whether I’m the enemy; or friend; br the medic; the man who’s just shot him several times br at close range, standing over; or br the man he shot just now; br come to greet him as his newest friend.