Third Light

[billy]

it reads as prose. tomh. but it's an enjoyable read. i can imagine the sniper waiting with intensity.
some spelling mistake, rifle being one. is "somehow" need on the first line?
i wondered if it would intensify the play image by having
scene 1:

etc on on their own line to separate each stanza; it would also facilitate the removal of the weak part of the first line.

thanks for the read.

Trenches on both sides, evening mist somehow framed the open stage of a macabre play, (they waited for the next scene.) ()feels to easy and forced

Paired on their watch Jack and James whispered over mud slide walls, topics varied to distract.

The cold had burrowed deep beneath heavy wool, Jack’s trembling hand tapped out a cigarette; he offered it to the flaking skin around his lips, snapped open his lighter and set spark to wick.

Dieter's mood was good, gullet and belly warmed with wine, he smiled at his situation, he barely noticed the dull glow that danced only for a second, like a cheap firework.

Yet still he watched the stage, calmly reaching for his riffle, eyes front.

James had been watching his friends cigarette keep time to the conversation for long enough, willpower gone, he snatched the half empty pack and lit his trophy.

Dieter’s dullness had gone, the range finding fire ball of the second cigarette had called on all his training.
He set the cross hair and held his breath; the lightest of touches, practiced and perfected.

Tim stepped outside from his cage; he was more akin to cattle and mud than conflict and canteen.
He didn’t smoke, he needed friendship, climbing the side of the trench he asked James for a cigarette and picked up the lighter.

The third light appeared like a solar flare, all movement ceased, Dieter, engulfed by the moment, gently squeezed the trigger and played his part.