Completed Worlds

Jünger started the day dreaming about an air raid. He is finishing the day by witnessing one. For once, the world is complete. More’s the pity.

War exaggerates.

Everything is more

Than was felt before.

This, from someone who

Has never known war.

Hospital beds, sure.

Multiple fractures,

Treacherous moments,

Sure, but never war.

War’s a sort of quake

For someone who has

Never been in one—

Always potential,

Storm in abeyance,

Poorly prepared for.

Any disaster

Will exaggerate

The experience.

The intensity

Scalds and scars the mind.

This is called trauma,

And sometimes trauma

Enlarges and sums

Up the details of

Worlds. More’s the pity.