The Soldier's Wife #2

She sat at the bus stop next to me

the woman told me she was eighty three

Her gnarled hands clutched a ring

and when she spoke the birds ceased to sing

She told me her tale

the story of love and loss

The story of how sixty years ago

her lover lifted her veil

They kissed, they were in love

and that was always enough

but a short year later,

her lover wanted something greater

He went into the army,

but wrote every day,

but then

everything turned grey.

Her lover was gone for good

he was dead,

the proof

was the bullet in his head.

This frail woman next to me,

her shoulders shake while she cries,

she tells me the she promised him,

if he should ever die,

she would go on with her life.

The tears pool on her lined face,

her eyes clouded with grief,

This fragile woman has memories she wishes to erase.

I thought she was weak,

but realize now she is strong,

she lived a hard life long,

a life I couldn't live for a single dawn.

The memories rushing back,

the sadness choking me,

I don't know how she handles it,

knowing her lover, so young,

had died from a bullet in his own gun.

Author's Note

alternate ending, which one do you like better?

Reviews

[Odayin]

Okay, never mind. I'll keep reviewing you. That's was still great as it was unexpected! Keep up the unexpected stuff!
Anyway, I like how you described more of the woman in this one, but I like the daughter part in the other one. Both are really amazing though as they made me realize some things that people do. I dont know what inspired those endings, or the whole poem for that matter, but I hope it keeps inspiring. Amazing job.

[MandaBear]

I dont know if its kinda weird or not but this kinda reminds me of Forest Gump. I love that movie though so thats good. This poem was sweet and i loved the description of the women. Amazing Job! :)

[Xyxyshsbbxhx]

I thought this was beautiful. Honestly, tears started falling from my eyes around fourth or fifth stanza. Keep writing.

[Abigail]

Oh wow. Both poems were just amazing! I do not know which one I like better! This poem was very depressing and not predicable what so ever. I loved this poem entirely!

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the other ending better. Suicide is a bad ending and leave a wound to be never understood. A sad and powerful poem.
Coyote

[Lydia]

I like both equally. They both work really well!

[Wild Willow Blue]

I like both, they both work well with the poem, but in my opinion the other ending is better. It takes your breath away, and adds a lot of feeling to the story. Still fantastic, though.