There are times when people cannot relate to some of my poems, but I think there must be more than a handful that can relate to this one. Rosalie Kissner |
"Dear John"
It seems like a lifetime ago,
That my heart felt empty and low.
One letter would change the course of my life,
I can only say now, it cut like a knife.
As I sat in the foxhole and read,
only thinking of the day we would wed.
I couldn't believe what you wrote,
It left me with a huge lump in my throat.
The dark nights I spent shivering from the damp,
Your smile, all I had for warmth and lamp.
And my mind always wondered with thoughts of you,
Holding you, finally warm again too.
All that would change with your letter to me,
My heart is still yours, you will always hold the key.
Being nineteen and fighting a war,
Longing to be with you, and nothing more.
We were childhood sweethearts, you and me,
carving our names in that sycamore tree.
Who knew I would be sent over there,
That was separation, and just not fair.
Now you say another man had taken my place,
I guess to you, I'm a terrible disgrace.
For all we shared and all we did,
You look at me, as just a kid.
This kid fought everyday to stay alive,
So I can come home to you with some pride.
Dogging bullets that maim and kill,
But we fought for our country, and love it still.
My buddies pat me on the back
And tell me I'll get back on track.
I guess they couldn't really know,
My heart was broke and moral real low.
I didn't care then if a bullet found me,
I had nothing left, and nothing had me.
The smell of death hung in the air,
Maybe this was a good time for prayer.
As I looked up toward Heaven, afraid and alone,
My voice quivered, but I had to make atone.
If I get out of here and return in one piece,
Maybe my anger and hate for you would cease.
Now, 40 years later, I look back to that day,
You changed my life, more than I can say.
Everyday, I wake up and thank God I'm alive,
And be a good husband, for that I strive.
You see, it turned out that I found a girl
She is my gift, my precious pearl.
You did me a favor on that gloomy day,
Helped me find God in my special way.
You see, we made a deal, Him and me,
That didn't include you, as you can now see.
I would serve Him until the day I die,
And finally forgive you, that is no lie.
So, I thank you for sending that letter,
It really did make my life better.
I didn't see that then, but now I do,
There was never to be me and you.
For He had a different plan for me,
Now He is the one who holds the key.
So, I wish you well and I pray for you,
That, like me, you found happiness and peace too.
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