Friday, May 27, 2011

Reward



He stood his ground.

The enemy shifted into position. Out of range. Deadly in their caution.

Together, they might have a chance. A small one. But if they both ran, they would surely be overtaken and brought down. So he stood his ground. At the very least, he could slow them down.

When the enemy stopped moving, he knew the strike would fly in the next few breaths.

He turned to offer one last reassurance. He saw how far the other soldier had already run.


(Photo taken at the Philadelphia Art Museum.)

6 comments:

the walking man said...

Such is the difference between warriors during any sort or given battle. On another day it may have been the one standing today who led the retreat from the fray tomorrow.

Mona said...

Those were the times of real solider performance! Now they wouldn't give a rat's ass for who died...

SzélsőFa said...

this piece would surely fit into a great war/spy story.
i wonder though, how the illustration fits the writing. I don't know the painting, but it seems that the doctor is operating his own leg - or am i mistaken?

Anonymous said...

Walking Man, I guess we all have ups and downs.

Mona, very different now, yes.

Szelsofa, this painting is somewhat famous, especially in Philadelphia. Dr. Gross is teaching anatomy to his students. It's a cadaver, not the doctor's leg. Anyway, I saw this as the "reward." The soldier wounded on the table, perhaps dead already.

SzélsőFa said...

Uhm, sorry for my ignorance :(
with a doctor performing anatony named 'Gross'? wow.
:)))
(sorry again... :)))

i see your reasoning now.

Anonymous said...

Szelsofa, no need for an apology. It was a stretch. I'm sure you were in the majority with your question. And yes, Dr. Gross! Isn't that a hoot!