IF ONLY

projections

I am told that the U.S Army

has its regulations concerning wounded soldiers

and their rehabilitation

if they are unfit to return home after the War upon return to my room

my mind continues in thought

 

I have learned that they sustain bases in Europe

for more convalescence

I shall not conceive that he

could be sent to another country

what to do? Without him nearby?

our souls are forever entwined

still, our presence shall be distant

that alone would change my life unreservedly

who knows if he shall ever be the same man

the one I used to meet at bridge’s end upon his leaves

from the War

oh, those meetings at dusk in each other’s arms

lips to lips, tongues to tongues, everlasting raw passion

 

If he is sent to a faraway safe place further

I must ponder our separation forever

our love could not sustain any longer

our devotion would fade with time

I ought to return his engagement ring

which I have worn in my heart

I do not believe he ever knew how much I loved him

and still do

all my doubts and needs forgotten

if he could just hear my words now

he would know how I have changed since the pregnancy

be proud of me

I have grown up

I am an expectant mother

and he is the father of my child

if he only knew

perhaps he shall surprise me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Mauricio Montoya]

John he who can not remember the past is condemned to repeat it, was is part of man desire to destroy to gain but now I will say this he or she who is willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom are the true heroes, give them what they need because they deserve it.
Thank you for sharing

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you for a thoughtful review Mauricio🌷🌷
Warmly, B

[Mauricio Montoya]

Betty I'm sorry I thought John the B had wrote this I'm drunk right now so I comment in what I see ,lol sorry, my comment would have been different but the same, accept I had anger coated it, lol

[Mauricio Montoya]

Surger coated

[John the Baptist]

Our heroine is now confronted with a situation fraught with doubts. Her wounded soldier boyfriend has not completely recovered from his war wounds and because of that may be sent to a base somewhere in Europe. She wonders if she could deal with the separation that would entail. She is, after all, carrying his child. Would absence lessen their mutual devotion? Again, she is forced to deal with uncertainty.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you John for your spot on review, glad you like it….
Warmly, B

[Coyote Poetry]

In the old war. Send the wounded or messed-up soldier to safe place to heal. Your story is true for many. It is sad. Your country would put you aside and be forgotten. I liked the hope in the last words dear Betty. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you John for an excellent review! Much appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Coyote Poetry]

A powerful poem and you are welcome dear Betty.

[.]

This woman's story makes me so sad! I live those moments with her, I feel like I'm the main character! (this is not an auto-or-biography from the very beginning, right?) and this reminded me of one of my poems, maybe the images of this whole story stayed in my mind while I was writing that poem, I don't know but it is definitely a very special subject! The reason I loved my favorite book the most was because of what I experienced while reading your book! Because every time I picked up that book, I felt like I was sitting and chatting with the main character, as if I was standing next to her from the very beginning, or as if I was the character. Since I read the book in Turkish, the translation may not have this effect, but there is no need, your poems to have the same effect on me, and after that book, I have never felt this way in another work. But you made this! I feel so lucky to read these!
Thank you so much for sharing! I think I need to read other episodes again!

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Beren
i’m so happy your enjoying these episodes, the protagonist is totally fiction, but the point is to get the reader involved… which i believe is happening with you!!
thank you for your support!
Warmly, B🌷🌷🌷

[Samuel Dickens]

The military is very, very hard on relationships. I should know, having come back from overseas to a divorce. (Twice) The bond between mates must be quite strong to survive. The story you tell reminds me of the Vietnam era, but I'm sure it must play out always.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Sam, yes relationships do not flourish when apart, appreciated,
Warmly, B

[Michael Sun Bear]

Oh Betty, what a sad, sad poem! Is this autobiographical? I love your imagery of meeting at bridge’s end. The overall message is just absolutely heartbreaking. I felt kind of lonely posting a poem about war, it’s nice to see a piece of work from someone else.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Michael, this is just a sliver in a sea of chapters to come
Warmly, B

[W. Barrett Munn]

This part:

If he is sent to a faraway safe place further
I must ponder our separation forever
our love could not sustain any longer
our devotion would fade with time

reminds me of lyrics in a song. Very musical as is the whole piece.

[Betty Hermelee]

Wow! Thanks so much Barrett for an amazing review. Part of a series which I hope will be a book some day, stay tuned !🌷🌷🌷
Warmly, B

[Patricia]

intriguing and profound. A story that has been lived as an outcome of war. How painful it must be for thsoe wounds to never heal, I am sad after reading this, I guess that was intended, gonna brood over this for a bit ;). Bravo

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks P … it’s not all sad, a beautiful review always
Hugs
B😊

[Lorry]

Just think how many real lives must have started this way, when war was a way of life and circumstances were even less in our own control.
It must surely have been an extremely stressful time for some... and not just the soldiers on the battlefield, buy the poor women at home trying to keep things together.

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, and pregnant too! More to come and that’s for your very sympatico review🌷🌷
Warmly,B😊

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful and poignant. Well crafted.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you my friend , much appreciated
Warmly B🌷🌷