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

[Gee]

It seems many a man of bygone years kept their own council, not sharing any secret or emotion, how times have changed. Men of today share everything, often too much, and use moisturiser...what's that all about. I thought women liked men with a wrinkled puss and calloused hands :))

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Gee. Smiling at your response. Sadly the old stiff upper lip and all that. They buttoned things and wouldn't dream of sharing. Must have been hell for them. Have a great day. Hope the family is well. Thanks for checking this one out.

Chris

[Gee]

All well here thanks you, just taking my daughter to her work then over to mums to take down decorations and tree :)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, we have the tree to contemplate today as well. Good to hear you taking care of your Mum.

[AYVID N]

Your poetry never ceases to amaze and delight me, dear Chris. Here again, is a shining example of profound human sadness expressed in flowing rhyme, as the reader pictures that old, timeworn bureau in their minds. Perhaps, it was a grief with which he could never come to terms, let alone overcome. Amazing depth here, my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello DIVYA. Thank you so much. Sadly I think it was too deep a grief. His only sibling and he had also lost both his parents from TB whilst he was a child. Those were the days when people didn't discuss their hurt.

Chris

[AYVID N]

Indeed Chris. Especially men. I understand that.

[Jef]

Well, It definitely gave me chills. I love the poem, I'll be sure to keep reading yours. Amazing!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jef. Appreciate your visit.

Chris

[john l smith]

Another sorry tale echoing the tragedies of war and the very sad after effects.
There is really no answer for all of this, yet forever it goes on

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Yes the after effects, too painful to discuss. Buried in the Bureau. Always good to see you.

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

Chris what a sad, yet wonderful, poetic detective story in rhyme. You hold the reader's suspense from beginning to end. A great poem and quite enjoyable. Thank you for sharing. :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Tamara, this is an old poem brought out of the archives for an airing. I do so much appreciate your response.

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

No problem, Christine, I still enjoyed it.

Most of mine are old. I don't write too much anymore.

Enjoy the season.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tamara. I also don't write as much as I used to. Take care.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

I've tried to register but have not been able to do it successfully. Have written twice, but they haven't been helpful. I liked the idea of the E book, as did Neville. Will have to give it a miss.

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

[delete] [report reply] 5 Minutes Ago
Yeah, I hear ya!

I also post on that other British site, "My Poetic
Side." I like designing the graphic heading to my poems there, but it's a lot of work replying to posts on both sites. I usually post the same poem on both. I think Neville is on both sites too.

Take care!

[Lanny]

Loved this! You've captured the sentiments so beautifully all while staying true to your rhyme scheme, hard to do indeed.

Nicely done, and all the best,

Lanny

[Chris Shaw]

Good to hear you enjoyed this poem Lanny. All the very best and thank you.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

The mood you lay down so heavily sets upon the reader. As many of us gravitate to a loved one who servered or possibly even first hand. You created a poem for the ages.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous dear Cherrie for your visit. All the best to you.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - it is so sad that he found it necessary to keep these moments to himself.
I have some relatives and friends than even years later find it difficult, if not impossible to relate their wartime experiences. I was fortunate and didn't have to endure any of it. But once having heard their only once told tales I'm grateful that I didn't.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Dave, it is sad that some things are so painful that some people can't share their
experiences. Old school, stiff upper lip and all that. Thank you for leaving a review.

Chris

[Lorry]

Whatever the reason, along with the fact he kept them, suggests a pain too much to speak of, in a less understanding time when men bottled it up instead of sharing pain.
My grandfather was always a quiet man who said little, but that wasn't always the case. I only ever heatd of him losing his temper once, when his sons game of cards got too boisterous, but after he had gone, lots of people mentioned it was taboo in his company to speak of it.
Im sure countless families have similar stories in their past, but none so finely stated as yours Chris. It certainly makes me think how easy we had it in comparison.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Lorry. We HAVE had it easy. They were part of the stiff upper lip generations who buttoned everything. Didn't speak about things and must have suffered inner torture as well as everything else they had to go through. An old poem out for an airing. Many thanks

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

You have been to see my friend I think.You learn so very fast. Wonderful ode to living large and leaving as much on the field as you took with you bravo

[Chris Shaw]

I think I know who you mean Tate. Many thanks for your thoughtful words.

Chris