TRUTH OR SECRETS

another melodrama

TRUTH OR SECRETS

 

After our evening tryst

He appears to be content with our intimacy

As I am

Apart from my distress over

His brief time to depart again

It does not seem to trouble him

That a long-distance disunion is upon us

 

His mood is notably divergent from mine

He speaks genuinely about

The war and his soldier friends

Well nigh as if he affixes with them

It prompts a kind of envy in me

As if his farewell is merely

A peck on the cheek

 

I, by contrast, behold it

As a heart-rendering event

A splitting of the souls

A moment of extreme setback

Despite that I simply cannot uncover

My true feelings to him

Or he will judge pitifully of me

He encourages me to be bold and courageous

As if to transform myself into a personage

Of a different visage

Which is a contrariety, and an absurdity.

 

Be that as it may

We spend the next two days frolicking

Like two teenagers, walking arm in arm

Kissing every three minutes

Trotting along, then a quick tryst on the grass

Laughing, tasting each other’s spices

It all resembles a fable

If it were only eternal

 

The moment arrives to say farewell again

I scantily slept the previous eve

My sentiments are locked up with a key to

My most inner being

One day, perhaps, in a letter

I will divulge my precise frame of mind

Take my chance that my soldier will swallow

The authentic me

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

another in my series "AT BRIDGES END
thank you for reading!

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

What turmoil the military spouse endures, waiting, fearing, raising children alone while their fathers or mothers play games of life and death with the enemy. The military sweetheart fares little better. It's a difficult thing to compete with, war. This is really great writing, I enjoyed.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for thoughtful review FG, much appreciated!
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

Interesting how the speaker and her soldier boyfriend see things from different vantage points. To her, there relationship is everything, while he seems to attach equal importance to his status as a warrior with comrades. At poem's end, she longs for a way to show him what it all meant to her. If he survives the war, its harshness may have caused him to rethink his priorities.

[Betty Hermelee]

keeping my fingers crossed for that ending! But we don't know quite yet...thank you for a lovely review!
Best, B

[Ken e Bujold]

very applicable read on today's anniversary of D day. captures the angst of long distance relationship perfectly. of which i know a great deal, as Muse and I conducted one for many years before finally deciding marriage and one bed was far preferable to 4-5 23 hr flights a year.

[Betty Hermelee]

agreed! but it doesn't apply to this piece...
Thank you Ken for your astute review! Much appreciated
Best, B

[red93]

I like this - a kind of War Poem from the other side - Excellent.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for stopping by and reviewing my poem; this is one in a series starting with Bridges End....
much appreciated!
Best, Betty

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Betty… Destiny is not always what we want it to be… I think of the Movie Casablanca where there was a destiny and a place she could not go; however, the Romance was genuine and cherished. Wishing you Peace and Roses that last forever more. tenderly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Pat for your delicate words...let's hope their love is genuine.....truly
B

[DIVYA]

Such a moving portrayal of what goes on in a woman's heart, as the time of parting approaches. What feels devastating to her seems merely routine to her man. And here is where you have brilliantly shown the difference between how women love so differently from men. Women are so much more emotive, so much more expressive than men. A man may be breaking up from inside yet shall be loathe to show it as most men are brought up to be strong and not to cry. But I think he must be shattered inside just as much as his ladylove. He just expects her to be strong for him as he walks aways yet again, to lay down his life for his country. As he leaves, he prefers to live in the moment and steal every joy of love that he can, while he can. This is such a beautiful poem, dear Betty. I loved it! Thank you for sharing!

[Betty Hermelee]

Dearest Divya,,,, I like your review better than my poem…. You understand all the nuances of love between a man and a woman and that’s exactly what I meant to express…you nailed it perfectly and I so appreciate your reviews…. Thank you from my heart to yours…
Best to yo
B.

[DIVYA]

I loved reading this poem and enjoyed sharing my thoughts on it. You're most welcome always, dear Betty. 🙋‍♀️💕

[Soyam]

Ma'am, why I feel so connected to your this kinda writing 🥺 ●_●
I'm so obsessed with this!!! 🥺

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Soyam, I’m so happy that you enjoy it.
A lovely review…
Best, B

[Ken Simm.]

I can see this whole thing so well in my minds eye. So beautifully described and such truth to it . As if we were there. Not saying which part I would play however. But it would be an act.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much Ken for your thoughtful review.
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem dear Betty.
"One day, perhaps, in a letter
I will divulge my precise frame of mind
Take my chance that my soldier will swallow
The authentic me"
I adored the above lines. I write today of things, once secrets hidden away. Time away from a memory. Make the memory less painful. I wonder dear friend. Can we find the hope of youth? Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear John for a lovely review, much appreciated!
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome Betty.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This reminded me of an age maybe pre or past Second World War One or two
When women dressed up in stockings and heels not in jeans with holes to meet their lovers or dates
It has an old fashioned feel of it
Loved it

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much Julie, I appreciate your review.
Best, B