Letter To a War Widow

With warmest regards and the saddest lament I write this small note with the best of intent The newspaper’s account of your husband’s death Made me feel as if I was short of breath As the son of a Veteran who twice went to war I’ve often wondered, what my life would have had in store If my father had not returned home one day And I had to share my grief on public display I was not born the first time he went away And was just ten when he left again, somehow feeling betrayed I didn’t quite understand why he had to leave It took a while to learn not to grieve I read that you have two little boys, just six and eight I can’t imagine what you say to make their restless dreams abate My mind used to play out my greatest fear Misplacing his last tape recording, saying his coming home date was near On return tapes to him, I played guitar and talked too Trying to make him feel like he was home, even if untrue I write this note to help me remember That even though my father returned in December Many that go off to war, do not And sons, daughters, spouses and families are caught In a process of grieving that abates only with time It takes as long as it does, there is no magical chime To help you and your sons with your journey that I feared most Enclosed is a contribution to their foundation host Not at all a fair trade, just to help provide for their well being I know you remind them that their father’s love is all seeing