Der Wanderer zwischen den Welten: Ein Kriegserlebnis

In a storm‑laden spring night the narrator, a young wartime volunteer, lies exposed on a shattered forest clearing, listening to the crackle of distant lanterns and the eerie cries of migrating geese that seem to guide the troops. The darkness is punctuated by flashes of light and the murmurs of both German and French positions, while the cold wind carries fragmented verses the soldier scribbles on a scrap of paper, capturing the surreal mix of fear and fleeting beauty.

Soon after, a fellow volunteer—a theology student—appears on another listening post, their paths unknowingly crossing. When a midnight order summons them to report, the two young men share a brief, light‑hearted moment amid the grim surroundings, hinting at the camaraderie that will shape their upcoming march to officer training. Their brief encounter offers a glimpse of humanity persisting even in the bleakest front‑line nights.