OMITTED LETTER

wartime makes everyone uneasy

OMITTED LETTER

 

I sense a bit of glum at present

as I sluggishly trod the winding path

through acquainted fields of diluted green

specked with vanishing yellow-hued buttercups

the sky looms

virtually about to brush me

clouds arouse to a bloated figure

and forge ahead

 

Fog around me speaks to my frame of mind

woeful, despondent like the dark blue

of a wide ocean, or an unfriendly sky

 

The sum of my dreary temperament

concerns an omitted letter I await

from my perpetual beloved

who is in the midst of a war

I distress day to day

is he alive or

has he come to the end of the road

Oh, I cannot believe...

 

Now in absence of a note

I perceive

Oh, I cannot believe...

 

My eyes blur with pink liquid

to not forget his unique grin

like a Cheshire cat

his eyes of a deep blue

frenzied black hair

negligible bump on his nose

Oh, I cannot believe…

 

As the nimble rain shower douses me

eventually I notice a rainbow

though blur in color

which eases my melancholy

leastwise in the interim

it bestows on me a cupful of faith

that my dearest is invulnerable

still I cannot believe...

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Reviews

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Betty,

For anyone who has a loved far away fighting in yet another war, life is sort of spent upon a cliff's edge of wondering whether or not one shall see them whole and alive again ... A very touching write that most certainly did speak to my heart ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Marvin, glad you were touched....
Best, B

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It is an excruciating dread that pervades our waking moments when our loved ones are in harm's way. I remember writing letters to my brother in Vietnam, wondering if he would be able to answer them; if he would even be alive when they arrived. But he survived and answered every letter. I can believe in man's inhumanity to man for that is all that war is. It is destruction and death.

[Betty Hermelee]

Great review, very thoughtful
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Hi Betty,
as always your imaginary is spot on... The use of glorious adjectives that the reader can see and feel.
Plus, I see some metaphors and this I always love.
And, so sad what happens to people when war appears.
Lisa, working or at least trying to work on a poem..

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Lisa...
I love your poems and sorry for delayed response!
Best, B

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Exquisitely put
Loved it all
Very talented !

Fave lines
My eyes blur with pink liquid
to not forget his unique grin
like a Cheshire cat
his eyes of a deep blue

[Betty Hermelee]

A very thoughtful review!
Thanks so much Julie
Best, B

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Well I loved it 😍

[W. Barrett Munn]

Betty,
this was quite the lovely read, very musical and tightly presented. Well done.

Winston

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you very much Winston, appreciated
Best, B

[Lorry]

This made me think of winter and the darkness it brings, multiplied a hundredfold to encompass any season until you hear from them again and can stop thinking the worst, until you know.
A time of heavy hearts, where any joy is erased until you are together again and can smile once more.

[Betty Hermelee]

A beautiful comment Lorry, and spot on...thank you, than you
Best, B

[lightsong]

This is extremely touching, specially the last verse stands with a highlight, because the way You've bonded both the melancholy and faith, that even in the darkest days, or in the unfortunate sadness and pain... hope will bright, life will live... the soul can't be harmed no matter what, even if the body failed to protect it. only peace, joy and love for You my friend 🤍🌷

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much for an insightful review, much appreciated.
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

I went to five war zones with the United Nation. In my life. I never had to fear the night with war near. As a soldier, we accepted war. I saw in Bosnia and Africa. Eyes of fear. Us soldiers try to protect the people who were homeless and scared. A impossible task. The child of war. Never can be children. Thank you dear Betty for sharing the powerful poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

A very clear and understanding review John
Much appreciated…..
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Betty and I enjoyed the poetry.

[Soren]

Doubt and its vacillation between the obvious and the hoped for. A piece of this reminded me of Melville speaking through Ishmael in the beginning of Moby Dick. I could feel the angst and the depression.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Soren for a fine review!
Best, B

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

To accept the inevitable is something that we all must do. Yet, in accepting it, we confront our own mortality as well. Life without us is realized when we have to live without someone that we love. Holding our breath for the confirmation of what the soul already senses seems to be neverending. Well done.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Linda Marie, a very thoughtful review!
Best, B.