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Two Victorious Men Kiss at the End of the War
A fictionalized introspection about love and war, asking if it all really matters in the end
I am always looking for new inspiration, and I just discovered this very interesting painting by Horace Vernet showing two men kissing at the end of the Battle of Fontenoy, celebrating France’s victory against Great Britain and the allies — a victory which was supposed to end the war of the Austrian Succession.
That war, in particular, didn’t go according to plan for France. But at this point in time, French men are celebrating.
And they kiss.
Of course it may be that this was just a spur of the moment, celebration-induced kiss. And it was on the cheek. But it got me thinking about having to be a part of a war, giving your life for your country and trying to fight for survival, while not gaining what you fought for in the end.
Sometimes, disappointment is all that we have left.
I can still feel the rasp of his growing facial hair against my cheek, from that moment when he grabbed me by the waist and kissed me. His lips were chapped and he tasted like sweat, but it was everything I’ve been dreaming about since he came into my life.
