One Piece by Ray Gallucci

Not Faceless Any More

based on the movie “Joyeux Noël,”
about the spontaneous Christmas Truce of 1914
among opposing soldiers in World War I

It's easy to hate them from afar
When you can't relate to who they are.
"The enemy they're, so kill 'em dead!"
For you're unaware they too eat bread.

But what if an opportunity
Enabled that proper contact be
Established as in “Joyeux Noël?”
Could you still enjoy their trip to hell?

No "devils incarnate," as you're told.
Just people of different ethnic mold
Who've heard the same propagandists shout,
"It's war in God's name, so stamp them out!"

Would it be so easy then to kill
Now knowing that he's just Tom or Bill
Who wishes, like you, his family
Eventually, too, again can see?

{Poem by Ray Gallucci}