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struggles

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As I step into my house

I sense a swell of exhaustion

My back and neck twinge

From my spell in the woods

Though I must agree twas an electrifying escapade

At this moment I discern grief in my void

A vacuity that sustains and resists any relief

 

T’is my round to write to my soldier

I waver about unveiling my truthful

Sentiments to him

As his expectations are divergent

Should I be sincere about

My dreadful life without him?

Or should I be proper and foolishly

Act the consummate fiancé

In wait for his return?

 

A blank page glares at me

I cannot pen a single word

Muddles with my notions

My hand trembles in disarray

My heart quivers with bewilderment

I shall take a breather

Absorb some fresh air

While I mull over my words

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

part of a series "At Bridges End"

Reviews

[Pete]

so well done. to be honest is to be vulnerable. separation breeds longing. we all erect walls and then decide who we let in. love transcends. very touching write. deeply relatable. to spill or not to spill upon that page. probably one of your best that i have read. bravo ... :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you, thank you Pete! I'm flattered!
Best, B

[AYVID N]

Dear Betty,
I am growing to love this series. The theme of separation from a loved one is so beautifully done. This poem is of woeful moments after a parting and all the despair, loneliness and sheer longing that she wishes to express on the blank page. Yet, she wonders if she should pour her sorrow onto him or just tell him how much she looks forward to their next meeting. So thoughtful for one so much in pain....There is so much to relate to in your words and such beauty of love!

[Betty Hermelee]

I love your review! You really seem to understand all the nuances in this series, all the emotions and a slight tug of war ( no pun intended)…. So glad you’re enjoying it, makes me feel good about it. I value your comments!
Best to you far away
, B.

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Spells are great... I should say.

Never enjoyed the idea of praying...

Much rather do some spells...

Never really liked beggin'...

Rather do things myself!!!

;)

Good poetry!!!

(I control my destiny and no one else... to a certain level, of course)
Being me... the above sentence... almost seems like a joke.

Blessed be!!!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your review
Best, B.

[FGFRANKLIN]

I imagine anything written to a soldier is appreciated. Soldiers live for mail. Of course, mail from a SPECIAL someone is most important. It gives them a reason to believe in and something to fight for. Most soldiers aren't trying to be heroes or save the world, they're just trying to make the world better for the people they know and love. At least, that's been my experience,

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for a thoughtful review
Best, B

[Soren]

At times we are paralyzed in our actions due to thoughts of how something might affect another. Should we or should we not? If we act on what we think would be best for the other, it is our only way of showing love. This was a great write that brings this to mind.

[Betty Hermelee]

It’s a struggle for her especially; he hasn’t a clue
Thanks for your thoughtful review Soren.
Best
B.

[William Michael Reeves]

Let's hope the fresh air reinvigorates your pen. We don't want the story to end here. I love the phrase 'tis my round to write. So true when an ongoing conversation becomes obligation. Something necessary to be done or the day is not complete. Your blank page keeps filling, chapter by chapter. Starting to think the bridge must span an ocean!

[Betty Hermelee]

It will, I' m inspired to keep this going with other interludes... Thank you for all of your support and thoughtful reviews.... I take it you like the series
of Bridges End?
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

I've read most of them. When you are done it would be good to read them as a single read. So each are fresh in the mind. Serial poetry is what I like for sure. I like how Bridges End is always asking questions, then answering them. Take your break ... when I have a little more time I'll start from the top, or bottom as is the case in our pages here.

[Betty Hermelee]

I'm going back to more of "Bridges End", just needed a break!

[William Michael Reeves]

Ok. Just to make sure I'll be reading them all in the right order:

At Bridges End
read moreOk. Just to make sure I'll be reading them all in the right order:

At Bridges End
Bridge's End 2
Letter Box
Whispers
Mystery
Moods (? The poem ended with bridges end but you didn't note this one)
Notable Displeasure
Musings
Blank Page

I'm going to post a new poem now and when I have a moment I'll read the series as it should be read ... all at once.

[William Michael Reeves]

Ok. Just to make sure I'll be reading them all in the right order:

At Bridges End
read moreOk. Just to make sure I'll be reading them all in the right order:

At Bridges End
Bridge's End 2
Letter Box
Whispers
Mystery
Moods (? The poem ended with bridges end but you didn't note this one)
Notable Displeasure
Musings
Blank Page

I'm going to post a new poem now and when I have a moment I'll read the series as it should be read ... all at once.

[William Michael Reeves]

At Bridges End
Bridge's End 2
Letter Box
Whispers
Mystery
Moods (? The poem ends with bridges end but you didn't note it)
Notable Displeasure
Musings
Blank Page

Didn't seem like my whole comment went through. If I'm repeating I apologize.

[Betty Hermelee]

no worries, so glad you're reading my series....there will be more!
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

Moods? Is that part of the series?

[Betty Hermelee]

Absolutely!!!

[William Michael Reeves]

I read three parts to the story. They meet in mad passion at the bridge. They get to the end of the bridge but don't want the journey to end so to her place they go. More passion. He's gone but she dreams of him for a couple chapters. Then letters are all they have at this point. I like how the voice you use gives me a sense that we've stepped back in time, but not far. After all, war is a constant. She's intelligent and tells her story almost as if she's bewildered by her own simple desire, that becomes more complicated as she tries to describe it. Understand it.

I feel like I may have missed a chapter or two between Bridges End 2 and Letter Box. They were within each other with haste, then suddenly he was gone and all she had were dreams. Your series is a beauty B! I love serial poetry. Take a well deserved break.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much W. I love your comments! And I’m working on another one.
Best, B.

[Ken e Bujold]

like john i see the poems core in the opening verse, spells and voids, pain and grief. so many places and spaces for the reader to fill. enjoyed my visit as always Betty. Promise to be back for more soon. Book's in its last stages, so freedom to read is just around the corner

ken

[Betty Hermelee]

good luck with your book! and thanks for taking the time to review as well! much appreciated!
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

The first verse contains the key to the poem, but its words are mysterious. What is meant by a "spell in the woods?" Why was it "electrifying?" Why is the speaker uncertain about revealing "true sentiments" to the soldier/ fiancé? I may be cynical, but I am wondering about the chances of the soldier getting a "Dear John" letter.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks John for a thoughtful review, we’ll see what transpires….
Best, B

[Lorry]

Many a woman would have knotted themselves up at the same thought, do you tell him the truth and add to his worry or pretend everything is rosie, which would make him worry in other ways, that life without him is just fine and either way, distract him at a time he needs all the focus he can muster just to get through it all.
And you and they had to keep up the pretence for so long too!
It would be akin to writing to someone on death Row and not saying "cheer up, could be worse!"
And with everyone in the same boat too, I'm amazed that the women left behind didn't all take a vow of silence, as one talking of their fear could start off a tsunami domino effect of fear and worry.
When you think about it, it wasn't just the soldier on the front line, but all of their loved ones too, putting a brave face on to keep morale up.
Even a walk in the words is no escape from it all.

[Betty Hermelee]

A great review Lorry and very thoughtful!!!
Thank you my friend
Best, B

[Dave Brown]

i hope you don't mind me saying, you sound an absolute wreck!
Could it be his divergent expectations have created more pressure than your gentle nature is capable of coping with??
sometimes we expect too much from ourselves
I would suggest a good professional with a soft couch might be just the thing
Just an idea!!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Dave for your sage advice and for reading and reviewing my poem, my friend.
Best, B