LAMENTATION

sealing the letter

 

LAMENTATION

 

I set my pen on the oak writing desk

moist from my tears

my cheeks sodden from lamentation

my head arches as I stare at my words

I secure the envelope with my soggy fingers

as my tongue is the texture of desert with burnt sand

 

I am hopeful that my soul will tinge his

to compel his compassion, understanding and epiphany

I shall seek to moderate my sentiments

as much as my core will sanction

nevertheless, I shall not deny my personage

 

I kiss the envelope as I slip it into the letterbox

my damp cheeks dry up as the wind animates

tis quite a fine day, I believe it might be worthy

for my psyche to take a stroll away from fond

memories at the Bridge

as it might beget a flood of weep

amble out in fields where cows chew on and on

 could eye them endlessly                        

I am adept at bird calls and I relish their melodies

 

Tis brilliant, ample to wear my sun shades

as I stroll yet with a deep concern about

my soldier’s safety

word has it that our men are forcing back the Germans

which could denote perhaps the war is nearly over

 

I trust he will collect my letter soon and as he reads it

he may indeed slump over as I bare my true emotions to him

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this series!

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

I read your poem about the emotions that you are experiencing as you write a letter to your soldier, and I was struck by the depth of feeling that you expressed. Your words were so raw and honest, and I could feel the intensity of your emotions as I read them.
The way that you described your tears and your lamentation was so powerful and moving, and it added a sense of vulnerability and intimacy to the poem. The contrast between your sorrow and the beauty of the world around you was also striking, and it added a sense of complexity and depth to the poem.
Overall, I thought that your poem was a beautiful and heartfelt expression of the emotions that you are experiencing as you wait for your soldier to return from war.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you very much for an excellent review!
Best, B.

[Akinlolu]

Love in a season of war and uncertainties.. This piece is overcharged with overwhelming emotion. It could be seen, touched, tasted and heard. You write with such vividness like the painter that you are.

[Andrew John]

Another's emotion can so easily affect us. And it does. All our emotions are different, so one poet can excite so many in different people. This does so. Thank you, Betty.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for stopping by Andrew, a thoughtful review
Best, B

[Robert Trakofler]

I have a few letters that were written by my aunt and grandmother to my uncles overseas and you can taste the longing in their lines even though they try to be upbeat you can still feel the worry in their hearts. My aunt was engaged to my uncle "Rock" who was a hard-nosed Italian boy from the neighborhood he was a marine air core pilot and the letters between them were so full of trepidation and love. You captured that feeling in your lamentation quite nicely and I couldn't help but remember those letters after reading your poem.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Robert for a fine review and glad it brought back pleasant memories for you!
Best, B

[Soren]

The portrayal of the difficulty not only separation but fear for the safety of one loved is evident in this poem. It is such a picturesque depiction evoking vivid images in the minds eye. Well done.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you, thank you, so appreciated!
Best, B

[Wesley Dingler]

Dare I say it. This may be what I would consider to be a perfect poem. It doesn't dangle anything beautiful in front of the reader. Except for the verse itself. It sails with emotion and does not lose its way from what the writer is feeling to what the writer is saying.
Excellent work Betty. Excellent series sequence.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you thank you!!! An excellent review and I'm so happy you're enjoying the series....more to come
Best, B.
PS it begins with "BRIDGES END"....

[E.P. Robles]

"Lamentation" is a poignant and emotive piece, seemingly steeped in the context of World War II, given the reference to Germans and the soldiers.

It beautifully captures the anxiety, longing, and resilience of a person left behind, waiting for their loved one to return from the battlefield.

The poem begins with an intense physicality of emotion, demonstrated by the "pen on the oak writing desk moist from my tears," "my cheeks sodden from lamentation," and "secure the envelope with my soggy fingers." These expressions bring to light the profound sadness, stress, and anticipation the speaker is experiencing. The description of the "tongue as the texture of desert with burnt sand" signifies not only the physical dryness that comes from crying but also the emotional exhaustion and emptiness.

The next stanza beautifully juxtaposes despair with hope. The speaker hopes their words will resonate with the reader, inciting compassion and understanding, and perhaps leading to an epiphany. Yet, they simultaneously confront the need to moderate their emotions to maintain their selfhood, affirming "nevertheless, I shall not deny my personage." It showcases the internal conflict and self-preserving measure the speaker has to undertake.

Following this, the speaker seeks solace in nature. The act of walking, observing cows, and appreciating bird calls serve as a distraction from their grief. The use of phrases such as "wind animates," "amble out in fields," and "I am adept at bird calls" creates a sense of motion and life which counters the stagnation and sorrow resulting from the war.

The line "Tis brilliant, ample to wear my sun shades" is perhaps a metaphor for putting on a brave face, forcing oneself to see the world in a brighter light despite their inner turmoil. Yet, the speaker's worry is soon unveiled again when thinking of the soldier's safety, demonstrating the omnipresence of anxiety and concern in times of war.

In the end, the speaker longs for the receiver's understanding of their emotional vulnerability. The last line "he may indeed slump over as I bare my true emotions to him" signifies the impact they hope their words will have, mirroring the physical reactions they've had while writing the letter.

"Lamentation" thus portrays the gamut of emotions experienced during war, ranging from despair and longing to hope and resilience, offering a deeply personal glimpse into the emotional struggles of those left behind.

I say: "War is a profoundly devastating human conflict that, while sometimes leading to societal or geopolitical change, invariably brings about immeasurable suffering, loss, and a lasting impact on both individual lives and collective histories."

[Betty Hermelee]

WOW! Your review is thoughtful, thorough, and well written... and I appreciate every word you penned.
Thank you immensely,
Best, B...
ps you may want to look at the others in this series called BRIDGES END

[Melinda McQueen]

A poem filled with emotion. A story told in a whimsical way.
Nicknamed penned.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Melinda for stopping by and reviewing my poem, much appreciated!
Best, b

[Chris Shaw]

Betty, those letters from loved ones were everything during war time. It was so special if one of them managed to get through. A huge morale booster in the grim reality of conflict. Be sure such letters were read over and over and kept close to the heart and kissed too. Lovely work.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Chris for a heartfelt review!
Best to you, enjoy your Saturday!
Bestread moreThank you dear Chris for a heartfelt review!
Best to you, enjoy your Saturday!
Best
B.

[Weeping willow]

Beautifully expressed and hopefully the letter reaches him and this war will be over soon ;-]

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much for a lovely revie, much appreciated!
Best, B