THE LETTER  (AT BRIDGES END)

THE LETTER (AT BRIDGES END)

A Poem by Betty Hermelee
"

divulging sentiments

"

 THE LETTER


Our farewell at the bridge is yet disheartening to me

I cannot decipher my soldier’s sense

though we kiss a lifetime it appears

then our hands disengage and he vanishes

I sob all the way to the house

my face soaks and a million tissues

do not cease the droplets

 

I fling the door open and collapse on the couch

weeping myself to slumber

be it only for a short time

at intervals I imagine foolishness

for my behavior with my soldier

could one think to modify emotions? Indeed, it would be awkward

 

At present, I ponder writing a letter to him

disclosing my innermost feelings

how upset, agitated, troubled I am in his absence

and how I get lost without him near me

will he realize my authenticity?

or will this be for nought

my living soul entrusts me

 

My darling:

I hope this letter finds you well and safe.

I resolve to open my honesty to you which has been restrained for so long.

I believe that you presume my nature to be sound, stable, hardy, resilient.

Still and all, I am fragile, distressed, miserable, lonely and I pine every minute of every day. I weep as I write this letter, ashamed of myself for this conduct, yet

I am powerless to modify. This is sincerely my composition. I apologize for my flaws, yet I hope you will uphold your sentiments to me, despite all.

I miss your entire being by now. Please write soon and express your notions as for my shortcomings.

I love you with all my core and do hope you will respond genuinely to this letter.

My heart aches for you.

Sending embraces, Lilly

 

 

 


© 2023 Betty Hermelee


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Reviews

Interesting poem , I’ve never written a letter to a loved one , ,I liked it Betty , a new experience

Posted 9 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

Thank you Stuart, I have a collection from my first love as a teenager!!!
Best, B
Stuart Munro

9 Months Ago

I enjoyed your poem
Betty Hermelee

9 Months Ago

you're very welcome!
Best, B


Good mane Betty .. I don't know how my previous visit here went undocumented .. having returned @ your own suggestion, everything now falls firmly into place .. beautifully crafted, captivating poetry indeed .. and well worth coming back to .. the only thing that remains unclear is why my earlier complimentary comment and associated commendation appears to have gone missing .. but what does it now matter .. I am delighted to now be associated and for always with this little masterpiece .. Neville

Posted 10 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

10 Months Ago

Nell, you're too kind!! But, I am so happy you like the little scenes..Am enjoying writing them...read more


This touches and feels separation,
Her heart longingly waiting.
The imagry skillfully set back
In time. 
A sepia toned vignette just
like a movie.
The romace letters embodied
have been striped away like the
beautiful frames captured in
film photography.
For me this poem sweeps away
the instant gratification generation
and speaks to why letters were
cherished and saved .
The skillful use of language
in this beautifully emotive
story poetry is the baby
thrown out with the bathwater
in our out pacing  human
eveloution..
Looking forword to words
put together by this poetic
Artist.

R.






Posted 10 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

10 Months Ago

Thank you Romeo for a beautifully written and thoughtful review...keep reading the rest of the serie.. read more
Ah... lovers together, lovers apart...

Soldier can be a terrible profession.

Nice story!

;)

Posted 10 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

10 Months Ago

Thank you kindly for your words! much appreciated.
Best, B
The_Ancient_Rock

10 Months Ago

You are most welcome.

Best.

;)
You frame the letter with enough lovely writing to picture the letter which completes this sad, but lovely write. This is beautifully structured and tells a remarkable story.

Posted 10 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

10 Months Ago

Wow Kin a stunning review, and much appreciated,
Best, B
Ken Simm.

10 Months Ago

You are very welcome Betty but can I ask who is Kin? Smirk. Only joking.
Betty Hermelee

10 Months Ago

Sorry for spell mistake!
Maybe it's me, but the first three stanzas feel like prose; in fact, quite a bit of this entire series has seemed like prose interspersed with poems. That is not a bad idea, etiher. Hmmm.

The letter is excellent. For me, though, I don't think it needs that big of set up to excel.
Just my thoughts.

Winston

Posted 11 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

11 Months Ago

You guessed it W…. It’s poetic prose! And meant to be….glad you liked it and thank you somuch .. read more
I think he should be dishonorably discharged! Not just for doing that to her, after all these poems, but then they can finally be together. All that anticipation, then all she gets is one night and off he goes again. But it was a steamy night, robed in desire. And he was beaten, but she healed him. I just read them all, these last few. I noticed your poetic voice got smoother with each poem. And another good thing about your series is it makes the reader care. This soapy opera has great suds!

Posted 11 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

11 Months Ago

Should be put it on the soapiness on the tele?
Thank W. for a stunning review...more drama to.. read more
The saddest thing about this is, that so many would have once found themselves in this very real quandary, punishing themselves for being truthful and all the thoughts and emotions such a letter could bring.
To be honest and run the risk of it being a distraction, in a very real and dangerous situation, or pretending all is well.
So many must have been wracked with guilt over such a simple act, to send word from home to a love they fear might never return from the hell they are have been thrown into.
Nicely captured Betty.

Posted 11 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

11 Months Ago

My friend; Thank you for an incredible and thoughtful review, much appreciated.
Best, B
I love this series. It's such an amazing portrayal of what a woman in love goes through and how sorrowful and stricken she feels during the time of parting and separation. Once again, your words draw in the reader and they feel her pain. One feels very connected to the protagonist and wants to partake a bit of her sadness and understand her feelings. I think she did well to write the letter to tell him of her suffering. Perhaps, he thought her to be very stoic and strong but after reading her letter he would see things differently. Kudos Betty! This was another beautiful poem to read.

Posted 11 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

11 Months Ago

WOW! I'm speechless from your stunning review Divya..this gives me so much hope when I receive rave .. read more
DIVYA

10 Months Ago

You are so welcome dear Betty!
As the entries in this ongoing series continue, we hear the thoughts of the wife/girlfriend of the soldier, but we know nothing of how he is dealing with the situation. In this latest letter, she reveals her true feelings to him, all she has previously held back. She's definitely hung up on the guy. I genuinely hope his state of mind reciprocates.

Posted 11 Months Ago


Betty Hermelee

11 Months Ago

He believes he is brave and fighting a war; he has his own emotional issues, and believes she should.. read more

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Added on June 1, 2023
Last Updated on June 1, 2023

Author

Betty Hermelee
Betty Hermelee

Black Mountain, NC



About
My love of poetry results from my love of art. As a painter I am able to express myself on a canvas. As a poet my words come from my heart, my moods, sometimes sad, mostly upbeat. I like to use vivid .. more..

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