Secrets in the Bureau

Based on fact

There are secrets in the bureau

safe inside a drawer.

They hide both pain and sorrow,

an everlasting sore.

His choice was not to share,

so he placed them in the dark

and there they stayed in solitude

not leaving any mark.

The key revealed a brother,

a younger one he had.

A photo of them laughing

when each was just a lad.

A bundle of old letters

in bold and steady hand

sent from his only sibling

from a far off foreign land.

The official post a bombshell,

news that he was dead,

killed by a sniper's bullet,

directly to the head.

Along with all his medals

condolences were sent

from all of his battalion,

sincerity was meant.

Why would Jack keep the silence?

Too painful to confess?

His motives to conceal it 

a measure of distress?

His loved ones thought they knew him, 

but this another side.

A part they failed to understand

long after he had died.

Reviews

[Neville]

without wishing to take anything away from what is essentially a very well crafted poem which focusses on what are essentially some of the more 'personal' and tragic 'secrets' that somehow come to light often by accident over time, within families (in this case) yours, I imagine .. I know from personal experience, (my own family) and many of those I have worked with over the years, that such dreadful, often earthshattering developments are occasionally inadvertently unearthed by stumbling upon a letter hid, or an old photograph, or some other artifact, which might trigger further enquiry and the inevitable bombshell, or skeleton in the cupboard .. As already outlined, something very similar occurred within my own family .. I think that often, back in the day, folk tended to lock things away like that and for various reasons .. many of which I dont feel I can go into here, but just know that such ghosts are not at all uncommon .. and so, respectfully and with much of it, I get where you are coming from Chris.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Neville. Stiff upper lip comes into play with the older generations. Old soldiers wouldn’t talk about where they had been or what they had seen. I think you are right. Many would lock stuff away which wouldn’t find the light of day until they passed on. Many thanks fir airing this oldie.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

men are prone to such hidden vulnerabilities, especially soldiers and police ... for most i don't think it is as heavy a burden as many think .. it's just the way it is ... those who suffer in the withholding can be in much pain and need help .. i love the story telling .. the rhyming and rhythm are beautiful .. you have a gift, Chris .. so glad you choose to share it ... right here at the Cafe' :)
E.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A very apt piece to read on this anniversary of the D-Day landings Chris. A sad tale indeed written in a very agreeable poem with some lovely rhymes.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. I am so pleased kitty found this little poem and gave it an airing on the anniversary of the D Day landings. That pleases me so much, as does your visit. Thank you.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

Glad this one popped up Chris. A fitting tribute on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Funny that D-Day gets the press when the world had been at war since '39. My dad was a D-Day dodger as they came to be known, an army of all nationalities that fought their way through Sicily & Italy and on into Holland & Germany.
All were involved.
What was the saying? They also serve who only stand and wait.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for reading this oldie Ted and for sharing your Dad's story with me. I am grateful to kitty for giving this poem an airing on today of all days. Bless them all for their great service.

Chris.

[Stella Armour]

some war stories are so horrific they just can't be re-told for fear of upsetting loved ones ... the only way they cannot be forgotten is to hide them away until the next generation can know the truth of what war was like.

[Scott De Buitléi..]

This is absolutely wonderful, the rhythm and the message/story within are just so moving. Well done, Chris x

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased to see you Scott and thank you for your lovely review. All good wishes.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

This is a sad and very touching tale Chris and I guess that many of us will have similar family tales that we may not even know about. There are all sorts of reasons for keeping these things quiet and it would be good to think that we might be better these days at sharing them. One thing has occurred to me is that if we have anything we don't want to share stashed away burn it before its too late! One final comment is that you've written it in a very simple way which works well. I wrote a story called 'walking to zero' - something I discovered about my dad years after he passed away.
All the best,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Alan for your review. Yes burning any evidence would be a good move to keep secrets safe. Hope all is good with you and yours.

Chris

[kitty]

So true to life this one ...like 'seletons' in the cupboard. How many of us have these stashed away that may even go with us to the grave eh? Some would bring about marvelous revelations. Poignant piece. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks kitty, how right you are. Many skeletons in many cupboards. All good wishes

read moreMany thanks kitty, how right you are. Many skeletons in many cupboards. All good wishes

Chris

[kitty]

A time to re read this one Christine. Been looking in the archives for one I wrote on 'D' day but have no inkling of where it is. I settled for yours instead. Thanks

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks so much kitty for revisiting. Yes 75th anniversary today so I am thinking of my Dad in law and his brother who played their part. Have a good rest of day.

Chris

[kitty]

Found it but too late I expect, Called 'Dunkirk - the final tribute'.

[Lyn Anderson]

So sad. But so true. Often we die with secrets people don't even know why they were secrets at all

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Lyn. I'm sure many have died keeping secrets buried from their loved ones. Sad that they can't talk about their pain.

Chris

[Richard M]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful words Chris, and reminding us to remember and reflect.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Richard for your review. Most appreciated.

Chris