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

[barleygirl]

This is some of your best word crafting with strong rhyme & rhythm, plus there's a howling lonesome wind blowing thru your lines. It feels like story is being presented as a film (bold & easy to follow & compelling). I am fascinated by the secrets we humans keep. I know of a similar true story & I've been wanting to write about it . . . the way we never really know people, sometimes, until after they die. Your poem is a strong inspiration to tackle this idea (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Margie. If this inspires you to tackle that idea of yours then I am delighted. This is quite an old write brought out of the archives for an airing.

Chris

[barleygirl]

OK . . . here you are, with your cute face looking at me thru your profile pic. I've been trying to think of what to write about today, so I'll try to follow your lead here . . .

[Carol Cashes]

AAAAAHHHHH!! I was immediately the favorite niece who will never have answers for the bajillion questions....

This is one of my favorites of yours.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Carol. Pleased you could see this poem from the perspective of a niece. So many secrets hidden from family, add to the intrigue and a desire to research for answers. An old poem from the archives, out for an airing.

Chris

[Onlyme]

This is so very humbling and extremely sad and tragic Chris. This tale of someone life. That gave so much for others. But was sadly was kept locked up inside a bureau. I could actually picture so many life like this in different scenarios. Locked up inside some dusty old suitcase or bureau.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn. The war brought so many tragic situations, so many died, that some couldn't handle it. They couldn't bear to talk about it, so painful it was. Happy New Year to you. All the very best for 2019.

Chris