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The Letter

Present Date: December 25, 1995 Envelope Date Stamped: December 23, 1944 From: _______ no return address but clearly overseas To: Addressed to widow living in same home 54 years ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Letter The letter came by mail on Christmas Day The envelope was clearly decades old No postal service can be used today From overseas the stamps were sealed and sold This could not be about the man I lost The mystery of where he is remains Is MIA from World War II his cost In this enfolded missive clue contains An overwhelming fear takes hold of me To get this letter on a holiday My life content but miss my man at sea Potential subterfuge to my dismay ? Sit next to flaming hearth not thinking clear There's something that this letter has to say Mentation meditates the chiffonier I put away to read another day

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Tanya Campos-Gracia

Date: 10/4/2015 3:50:00 PM

OK- Now this made me cry, by having been a Military wife myself, having endured the absences of my military spouse, the unknown whereabouts, if alive or dead; However believing in my heart that he was a soldier that was trained to survive, kept me, our daughters "sane", sure of his returns. Once had a Chaplain & an idiot neighbor come knocking on my door made me faint, a joke(?) I know how this lady felt all those yrs. how accustomed to loneliness she grew. Great job, thank you for sharing.Tanya

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 12/1/2014 4:13:00 PM

I love the mystery of this poem..Makes one wonder ifHe is still alive..or at least what his last thoughts were.Soo deep this is drumming on the heartstrings,Awesome.

Thomas Carney
Date: 2/22/2015 8:22:00 AM

Sorry for late reply, but thank you for your pithy comments Charmaine. Thomas

Sara Kendrick

Date: 11/30/2014 1:25:00 PM

I really like the topic and the mystery behind this one..Thanks for sharing it with us..It has good flow and rhythm..Your presence at my work was encouraging..To do a shaped poem that is fairly easy one can do two Nonets centered the first one do with the syllable count 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 then the next one do reversed..This forms an hour glass and the poem can be about anything with time, the sands of time, etc..Sara

Thomas Carney
Date: 2/22/2015 8:23:00 AM

Thanks for reading this poem. It's one of my faves. One day at a time. Thomas

Jack Ellison

Date: 11/17/2014 8:26:00 AM

A great write but I would expect nothing less! It touches the heart! Also a fav... cheers, Jack

Thomas Carney
Date: 11/17/2014 1:14:00 PM

Thank you Sir Jack. Even I like to read this one....lol. Thomas

Gene Bourne

Date: 9/29/2014 1:28:00 PM

There's an intriguing dynamism of suspense , like a subtle undercurrent I found enthralling in this well metered and rhymed poem. Putting the letter away is the perfect, the only ending for this. A haunting, unfrogettable poem, Thomas. I've added it to my Fav list. ....Your friend...Gene.

Thomas Carney
Date: 2/22/2015 8:24:00 AM

Thank you friend. Thomas

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 9/27/2014 9:32:00 AM

touching beautifully penned piece

Thomas Carney
Date: 2/22/2015 8:24:00 AM

Thanks liam for reading my poems. T

Jack Ellison

Date: 9/25/2014 3:41:00 PM

John stole my words right out of my mouth... poignant indeed! A great write my friend... Jack

Thomas Carney
Date: 9/26/2014 9:12:00 AM

Thanks for the kind words Jack. It's nice to feel like one's poem connected with PS's readers. Thomas

John Posey

Date: 8/31/2014 3:09:00 PM

Very moving and poignant post..... You have captured many emotional moments and saved them for whatever future value they hold..... Nice writing, My friend...... Jake

Thomas Carney
Date: 9/14/2014 12:15:00 PM

Thanks for reading this Jake. Your comments inspire me to press on, but for now, it's time to read others work. Peace 2U. Thomas