9 a.m.
if the priests say truth and all things are now revealed to you , forgive me for this act of mine . Come to me in spirit and give me mental peace . -LSB- Illustration : '' ... when there was a blinding flash and the air seemed filled with moaning fragments . '' -RSB- -LSB- Illustration : `` When I put up my periscope at 9 a.m. the horizon seemed to be ringed with patrols . '' -RSB- As I write like this , as if it was a letter that you might read , I am comforted a little ; I rely utterly on the hope , which I struggle to change into belief , that you can read this and know my thoughts . For when I think that had things been otherwise you might have been leaning over my chair at this moment , and running your cool fingers through my stiff hair ; when I think of this , my darling , the full realization comes to me of the gulf which must divide us for some uncertain period , and the lines of this page run mistily before my eyes . Zoe , my Zoe , strange things have happened in this war ; wives declare they have seen their husbands , mothers have felt the presence of their sons ; if the powers permit , come to me once again , I implore you , and give me strength to live my life alone .