Wars and Wishes

I gave you a jar of stars hoping for your return. Instead, I got it back, without you.

The day before you leave
To fight in the war, to win (lose)
I rush up to you
and hand you a jar

“I’ve fulfilled my promise, it’s your turn”
I straighten out your armour,
and think how beautiful you are in white
An angel, leaving heaven for the fallen earth

“Come home to me” I plead
and watch them take you away
Watch you carry your weapons, your burdens
and think to myself
I couldn’t help but hope things will be different.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” the general tells me personally
they couldn’t save you
I realize now
the angel has returned to heaven.
The fallen earth had always been me.
He hands me the jar.

The stars.

Useless. Unhelpful.
I let the jar fall and clatter
and walked out of the hospital door.

Reviews

[Brittany Bostic]

Very harsh. It takes you through a journey from the beginning and then it shatters all of the love and hope just as easily as the jar shatters against the floor.

[PoeticChico]

I am not sure if this was real or just fiction, either way is well writing. More than anything it made me feel something, like if it was me losing someone. Thanks for sharing.