I remember my childhood
Oh so many long years ago
Aunt Bess was a stranger to us
Yes, the one with the crazy laugh
A martyr to her memories
And a prisoner of her dreams
Whose secrets were in shadows
In the bright sunshine of our lives
She wore a diamond necklet
But no wedding ring shone for her
She lost her man in the great war
And her mind went shortly after
Just what seer could have forecast
War's cold steel that took him away
Would steal her mind as well
Image found at www.etsy.com
Theft on two battle fronts...a clever piece...i think you found her story in that image..can't imagine it any other way
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what stories emerge from old photos, even if the person represented is a stranger to us. Well done!
DeleteWar always has more casualties than counted. Nice piece of writing, Robin.
ReplyDeleteFar too many victims of war. It was the war to end all wars, I seem to recall.
ReplyDeleteWow! very powerful and tightly and wonderfully written
ReplyDeleteYes, I miss the Aunts and Uncles I grew up with, who quietly left the room, each had a story to tell, and each proably left their minds somewhere?
ReplyDeleteOh how very sad. You wrote a beautiful poem that reminded me of an Aunt of my own.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that has happened to so many who were left behind
ReplyDelete"A martyr to her memories"----ah, too many people fall victim to that...great line though. And I like your use of steel/steal.
ReplyDeleteLove this one, OE! Losing a love, a mind can soon follow.
ReplyDeleteNice and concise story here, Old Egg.
ReplyDeletePamela
There are so many unknown casualties to war as someone else has already mentioned. Your word portrait is clear and definitive,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I like the way you built a story around a photograph. I sometimes come across photos like this in antique stores and I always wonder what these people's stories are.
ReplyDeleteA sad tale for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic poem .. you wordle so well ... and how appropriate to speak of the great war ... in this year exactly 100 years after the event began. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteVery retrospective poem, reminds all of us about the challenge the wars cause to human, created after all for happy life...
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Read so much about what happen to wives and girlfriends of WW1 soldiers. This poem capture the terrible grief they experienced.
ReplyDelete