They Tried to End Us in the Spring

They tried to end us in the spring.

You'd been gone for so long,

I tried not to hear bullets in the rain,

or bones snapping when I picked marigolds

to fold like love notes into care packages,

next to photographs that make me look

much too old.

I'd send them, hoping

your spring was as colorful as mine.

In May, I found your pocketknife

tucked behind a vase of lilies

on the kitchen counter.

When I used it to snip mimosas

from their stems, I pretended

you left it here on purpose.

They tried to snuff us out

with every mile of sand

your boots saw, but I planted

enough forget-me-nots to match

the blue in your desert sky.

Little did I know,

by August you'd be home.

Only to have me plant you in the ground

among the poppies.

Reviews

[B]

Sweet
Love surviving all tests
And all outsiders attempts to destroy beauty

A heartfelt piece

Thank you for sharing

[613]

This was written so well. Nicely done!

- Brittney

[Katherine Vice]

Thank you! It means so much to me to hear that others have read and enjoyed my poetry!

[613]

Sure thing!

Would you mind checking out my novel, HIM?

[Katherine Vice]

Sure! I don't think I'll be able to read all of it, but I'll certainly give it some attention.

[613]

Thank you!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are a talented writer. Your words brought sadness and took the reader to lonely place. I was a Soldier for 15 years. I stood with kids of good friends killed in war. Hard place to be and to understand. The poem was written with honest thoughts and took the reader to deep sadness. I like the way you described items and place in the words. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Katherine Vice]

Thank for the nice review. This poem was fictional, and I'm glad I was able to depict even a fraction of the reality of war.

[Coyote Poetry]

War is hard to understand. Even people who survived war. Don't understand. You are welcome. You write with a solid pen. Thoughts written well and understood.