Notes About The Poem

The Letter

The dog’s bark alerts you to the mail
and you rush to the door heart in hand.
For you’re hoping you'll get a letter
nervously twirling your wedding band.

The envelope wafts a hint of musk
that transports you back to his parting.
And the fight you had... “Why reenlist?”
you had argued, acid tears smarting.

Your heart's pounding in trepidation
and fueling anxiety's climb.
Yet both the anger and flow of tears
have decreased with the passage of time.

Reading his letter a smile appears
joined by more as his words set them free.
For inked by a soldier in Iraq
a man in pain pens a heartfelt plea.

Sorrowful feelings flow from the page
weeping and beautifully expressed.
And yet in the depths of your being
you’re still hurting and feeling depressed.

You devour every sweet nuance penned 
each succulent slice of candied hope.
And though time's something you can’t turn back
borrowing his strength you try to cope.

Yesterday a letter trimmed in black
brought news you dreaded getting for years.
For it said he'd been “killed in action"
its typed message smeared...In pools of tears.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
May 23, 2018 at 10:26 PM
O precious life! Well penned, Emile.
Pinet Avatar
May 24, 2018 at 6:58 AM
Thanks Line, I appreciate your comments and support my friend, Emile.
Wanter Avatar
April 13, 2017 at 11:29 AM
This rips me apart - especially touching in the light of current events!
Pinet Avatar
April 13, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Thanks Sunlite, I appreciate your comments, Emile.
Mccall Avatar
April 13, 2017 at 11:25 AM
An urgent message here in this poem for all to see and that is never end a day or an encounter in anger. Always settle a disagreement Before parting ways and there will never be any regrets.
Pinet Avatar
April 13, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Thanks Edward, it's easy to say but very hard to do when emotions are involved, I appreciate your comments, Emile.
Vinson Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 11:30 PM
Wow, Emile, you got me with this one.
Pinet Avatar
April 12, 2017 at 8:16 AM
Thank you Doug, I appreciate your comments and support. Emile.
Kannan Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 9:50 PM
Deep and Sad... So many emotions in a single poem... Beautifully penned... Great job... A big 7...
Pinet Avatar
April 12, 2017 at 8:17 AM
Thanks Supraja, your comments and support are appreciated. Emile.
Marie Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 2:49 PM
Your words take us through a wide range of emotions from anticipation right through to a realized dread I would wish on no one. A wonderfully crafted poem bursting with emotion. Very nicely done.
Pinet Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 5:36 PM
Thank you Lyn, I appreciate your wonderful comments and support. Emile.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Oh how sad Emile, powerful write. 7 xomo
Pinet Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 12:09 PM
Thank you so much Maureen, as always your comments are welcomed and appreciated. Emile.
Green Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:51 AM
I had a feeling when I began reading this that the ending would be something dark and painful. You built up the joy and the missing nicely with the letter reaffirming love only to drop us off at the stop called reality. So very sad and something I know more have faced than I care to imagine.
Pinet Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 12:09 PM
Thanks Chris, your comments are insightful and much appreciated my friend, Emile.
Sands Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:14 AM
So real and heartbreaking. Very well done Emile!
Pinet Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:24 AM
Thank you Heidi, I appreciate your comments and support. Emile.
Poteet Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:10 AM
What a marvelous flashback technique, Emile. A piece filled with sorrow and remorse and trepidation. Well-done!
Pinet Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:25 AM
Thank you Reason, your comments and support are must appreciated. Emile.
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