MY DEAREST EVE (11)
My Dearest Eve,
How bright and refreshing your letters are and how lovely to know that life goes on back home as normal. I can lay at night and imagine as you sit among the flowers and our beautiful countryside, with paints and sketch-book, shading your eyes from the sun.
I must tell you, at this moment, the camp is alive with movement, of chaps whizzing about on motor-bikes and side-cars, horses and mules which pull wagons, full of men and weapons. Horses, in mad chase draw gun-carriages. There is such a move of excitement here that one is almost inclined to forget the purpose of all this rushing and noise.
We have spent a lot of time with drilling and having a senior officer show us how to wear out gas-masks. I cannot believe the enemy would dare use such a weapon, though I am told it is a great possibility. I hear such dire stories. So you would see, my darling Eve, how your warm letters give me a sense of reality, that the world lives on, in its own sweet way.
I send my love to all at home and especially to you, sweet girl. I ask that you pray for us and keep me in mind, in a sweet way. I await your next letter with impatience.
All my fondest love to you, Sam
For my darling EVE
TO LIFE, THE LIVING.
Life, in its ever-moving sense of normality
Has no certainty, on the road of its existence
One may believe that life is lived to a locality
To feel no push of fate, no prod of insistence
And settlement is, to all, sense of familiarity
The heart belongs to a hearth and sweet home
To all, which gives good knowledge of security
Wherever a mind will stray in wonder’s roam
Fate, a sudden, fearful, way of un-suspecting
Can snatch away the sense of rooted standing
Gives no time for security’s sense of inspecting
So flight of quick remove has no happy landing
Should you have believe that life is sweet norm
We are just an Autumn leaf, cast to life’s storm
To My Love Sam,
My Dearest Sam,
How I look forward to your letters my love. Your words comfort me in the midst of this cruel war the enemy has embarked on to disrupt so many lives. As I sit here in the garden's beauty I am in a world that was before this war. It has become my sanctuary while you are away. Penny sits faithfully at my feet as I write or paint. When I mention your name her ears perk up and she looks around for you.
As I told you in my last letter I went for a visit to your parents. They are both in fine health but miss you so. Your mother had such pleasure in showing me your baby pictures. She is so proud of you Sam as I am. Your aunt Beth was present for my visit so I got to meet her. We went for a stroll and as we walked got to know each other. She said you always called her your favorite aunt. I could see why, she was so nice to me. She sends her love and prayers as do your parents and so many others that ask about you.
I can't help but long for the sight and touch of you as I sit here among the beauty we shared so many evenings and afternoons. I see your love in every new bloom upon the roses trellis. I feel you in each soft breeze upon my face and I hear you call to me in the silence of the setting sun each day. How I wish you could inhale the beauty as I sit here and miss you. I love you Sam, with all my heart and soul. My love is with you till you return. God bless you always.
Always In My Heart, Eve
WHERE LOVE BLOOMS
Inhale such beauty from depth within and afar
Upon zephyr love sprouts wings, takes flight
This beauty sustained throughout foreign war
God shield from harm with His love and might
Hold tight to my love on those nights felt bleak
May my love bring you serenity mid commotion
As you prepare for battle and peace you seek
My heart remains with you across the ocean
As two became one in a love felt so sweetly
Not knowing now where I end and you begin
Your love fills my senses ever so completely
Making me happier then I have ever been
In this time of uncertainty let neither repine
For I have your heart just as you have mine
MY DEAREST EVE (12)
My Darling Eve,
In the midst of all the noise and bustle around me, it is with a sense of peace and love that I find a spot, my back against a tree and read your letter. I love your words, how they transport me back to such sweeter times, when we would walk, hand in hand down to Walter’s Farm. Do you remember how you used to put scent on your handkerchief because of the smell from the pigs? I smile as I raise my eyes in remembrance.
There are times when a distinct smell of sulfur drifts over the camp and I am afraid it has some affect on young Tim, who is landed up in the field hospital for a few days. I went to see him but was not allowed entrance, for a reason never given to me.
I sent some cigarettes and that small copy of Wordsworth poems he enjoys(Only for the borrow, mind.) I keep a wary eye on his belongings, there are some with us, who have no morals whatsoever. I am amazed at the roughness of some here, who seem to fight at a drop of one’s cap, I only hope they fight as well when put to the front!
Oh, my sweetest girl, I do not mean to go on with trivialities, certainly when my thoughts are on you and your letter to me. Bless you, dearest Eve, you are my saviour from this turn of events. I send you all my love and blow a kiss to touch your lips. Sam.
For my darling Eve.
WHEREVER THE WIND.
For those, in storm’s love, will know the swell
For love is in no abeyance to any natural sway
Who, in lost haze of emotion’s mist, might tell
To a world, wherever winds of passion’s play
Whenever one is lost to certain chart’s course
Foreign parts, first known to the traveling eye
Better to have love’s route as highway’s source
To follow, sure, as a homing pigeon would fly
Love, in sweet energy, is freedom’s element
Stormed emotions and with strong will to flow
If I be lost and have no draft, no notion’s bent
Then I go wherever the wind’s of love may blow
The grey of life is, to a life, is to mind disjoint
Then allow a sweet drift of a dear love’s point
My Dearest Sam,
I sit and write you as I rest beneath the willow near the mill pond. Now and then a ripple appears to disturb the noon time quietude. I am taken back by the stark contrast of this moment and the happenings surrounding you there across the sea. I watch as the fledglings have grown and the warmth of summer beckons closer with each passing day.The air is still today with nary a breeze. Penny playfully romps in the wild grass chasing grasshoppers.
As I read your letter my heart felt sadness to hear of the young lad Tim. I will say a special prayer in chapel on the way home from my stroll. I do hope the poetry of Wadsworth comfort him a bit. I know how your sonnets can sooth, they bring you close to me.
My heart feels such longing to be with you my love. I do remember the long walks to Walter's farm. How we would laugh at the barnyard animals and the sounds they made. I must take a stroll there with Penny soon. It is quite a distance but I shall enjoy the time to think of you. I shall stop at chapel along the way and give prayer for you and young Tim. I remember stopping and being the only one in the chapel. Now with so many loved ones away at war, their families come to chapel, I am rarely the only one there now.
As I write this I have my cameo open looking at you picture inside. How handsome and dashing you are Sam. I miss those brown eyes looking into mine. It seems so much longer then a few months since our sad farewell at the station. Why does time apart go so slow and yet when together pass ever so quickly. If only one moment I could have with you again. How I would hold it ever dear to my heart. I shall always love you. May God be with you and Tim and all those who fight for England.
All My Love And Affection, Eve
WRITTEN WITH LOVE
Here now between yesterday and tomorrow
Memories spread like ripples upon the pond
Mid love's happiness and wartime sorrow
Thoughts drift to the coast and far beyond
Within prayer seek answers we not know
As we walk in faith and with God we abide
Think of my love as the gentle winds blow
Upon the waves rolling with incoming tide
Heard far away my heartstrings you strum
Beneath stars let thoughts drift back to me
For in the morn you hear a different drum
But for tonight my arms await you tenderly
Like warmth of sunlight as showers taper
Words written with love upon white paper
MY DEAREST EVE (13)
My Darling Eve,
How you bring our dear and lovely country back to me within your writing. I can close my eyes and see all you write of and I find such comfort from those images.
I will tell you, my young friend, Tim, is returned to our tent and in full vigor. Last night I read a chapter from the Bible to the boys and was received by many ribald remarks, though this was to be expected. However, most look on me with favorable affability, so I take such banter in good spirit.
It would seem that we are to be held back in this position for some time, our time being taken up with routine duties and ‘Bull’, the joy of keeping our gear in bright performance. More men seem to be swelling the camp each day, seeming to be younger each time, so that our lads appear to be already tough and trained.
Well, my sweetest darling girl, how I miss you and how I do enjoy your writes. I have shared some of your writes with a few of the lads who have no-one to write to them. I love how they sit in rapt attention and then ask of you; you are quite a favorite, my dearest Eve.
How I miss your gentle hand and voice.
In all fondest love.
Sam.
For my darling EVE.
NO BARRIER TO LOVE.
Distance, in the longest test of determination
Is no deterrent to love, which has illusion
For, highway’s dream is a final destination
When feelings are pushed to love’s conclusion
Reality is, to a mind, a blockade’s obstruction
To see sense of light when dark of film is at end
But closed eyes are to gain sense of instruction
To sight a sweet pictured face in favour’s lend
No matter the hard the path or far harried length
Love is a traveler of precious air’s hurried space
To move to mind, sweet light of colours strength
When a mind sees love, there’s no time or place
When sad distance gives a heart no feeling’s light
Then close up sweet eyes to gain dear love’s sight
My Dearest Sam,
Your letter came today mid a rainstorm. It brightened this glommy overcast day. It was wonderful to hear Tim is back with you in good health and spirits. I know how you enjoy his friendship and dote on him. That is so like you my love, reaching out with such compassion.
How I wish you were here at this moment. to share a warm embrace or tender kiss. Or maybe play a game of canasta to pass the time this rainy day. How I miss sharing the simple fun things with you my love.
Yesterday I finished my "Buttercup" painting and with it hung in my room each time I gaze upon it I think of you and the wonderful afternoon strolls there.The daylight hours are getting longer with summer fast approaching. Soon the fireflies will flicker in the evening sky.How they bring back sweet childhood memories. Do they have fireflies in France?
How I admire your endurance of the harsh conditioned of the camp. God will sustain you through this time apart and facing the unknown.
I close my love with a soft whisper of "I love you". It echoes within my heart till you return. Please give my regards to young Tim and your fellow soldiers. My prayers lie with all of you. I love you my dearest Sam and miss you so.
With Love And Affection, Eve
TOUCH MY HEART
More the words I read from far off shore
Hear Love echo over land and cross the sea
Keep faith to face the unknown in store
Go with God till you return home to me
Let my words bring peace let you stay still
In night let my love fill up dreams sweet
For at home we count on your strong will
As you fight bravely for our enemy's defeat
If you have but a moment, take and remember
With wars end our lives will be once more
Again autumn leaves shall fall mid November
We shall share our love as we did before
Breath you within my mind night and day
Still touching my heart yet so far away
Love, Eve
MY DEAREST EVE (14)
My sweetest Eve,
Ah my love, I have no idea about fireflies in this wretched land, though I do know we were witness to a most sorry sight today. As I write this, I am glad of the dimness as the candles burns to its last, for those who lie on their bunks may not see the tears I cry, at the memory of what was seen.
Today, there came a wagon, an old wooden cart, drawn by two mules, through mud and with men pushing at the back. Piled on the wagon was boxes, long and loose-nailed. On each box, someone had pained a cross, rough-handed in black. The laughing and noise seemed to cease as the wagon moved through the camp and the faces of the boys were as pale as the early landscape.
I saw boys turn into fearful old men and heard the cries. This memory will be there for me in cold times, though I fear this will not be a last time I see and smell death… And so I cry as I write. Blessed am I, that I have your love and God’s strength to carry me through this dark hour. I must stay strong for my friends here, and for you, my sweetest darling.
The stub of candle flickers now, shadowing the walls of the tent and so I must lay with my thoughts of you to colour the gray. I write in a strongest yearn for you, with love.
Sam.
For my darling EVE.
POOR SOULS.
What sadness fills the soul of mankind
When dog’s teeth bite in fear’s consequence
That the poor are subject to anger’s bind
The fire of humanity is for war’s commence
And men pray to the power of God above
For peace and quietude in all people’s hearts
For compassion and for a sweet universal love
For living and love, before cold warring starts
Is this the sad life, this needing kill and misery
This very gloom, that my tears are cried in vain
Is this a sight which I have as my dread history
Poor slain bodies, left dead on an empty plain
Comfort me, dearest Lord, in this closing hour
Sweeten my thoughts against this war’s sour
My Dearest Sam,
How my heart aches and the words blur from my tears as I read your letter. Oh my love I don't know of the words I can convey to you of my feelings at this moment. I must sit and cry with you. What reasons are there good enough to take the lives of the innocent.
To know my love comforts in these saddened times brings some solace. How I must do more though. I shall find a way to do my part for England too. My love I wish I were there to dry the tears you shed and hold you close to me.
We must both lean on our faith in God more then ever before. Though your words are stark and bring the reality of war to me I would not want it any other way. I want you to share the sad and bad with me as we share the love and goodness our hearts feel for each other.
Your parents send there love and I send you mine to warm your thoughts as a blanket against the coldness of war. Oh how I pray this war ends soon. To walk again in the summer sun and feel the touch of your hand in mine. I miss you so as the summer wind gets ready to return. My heart shall rests upon and drift to you. Please take care of yourself for me. I love you my dearest Sam.
All Love And Affection, Eve
For my sweetest Sam
LOVE AND FAITH
There are those times words can not convey
All we feel deep inside when emotion’s swell
There are time that love makes us feel that way
Again in times when we see how war is hell
Hold on to each other as love within grows
Find comfort and joy in times good and bad
Uplift and encourage with rhyme and prose
God walks beside you in happy times and sad
The beauty of our love shall never be lost
Our love light shall never fade away or dim
Do not let sadness of war and its human cost
Allow your heart to hardened and be grim
Find strength in my love, it is never ending
Feel this love I have for you I am sending
MY DEAREST SAM (15)
My darling Eve,
I read your mail in a much brighter light, for we are kept very busy with loading cases of armaments and food for the troops further up to the north.
Last night, it was warm with a cooling breeze and the camp chaplain held an open air meeting house, so that we stood and prayed, then sang a number of hymns, one of which was our favourite, the beautiful ‘Jerusalem’.
I will tell you, dearest girl, that even the roughest of our crew raised their voices to the evening sky, I was overcome with emotion. Later, some of the lads serenaded us with a range of latest bawdy songs, one called Tipperary, although I suspect the boys made up the words as they went!
Your letter made me smile and raised me from my moods, even the hard work we are kept in is light when I picture your face, so dear to me. I talk of you to Tim and he listens with such rapt attention, that I am sure he has fallen for your nature, though I do not blame him, as I had fallen that time ago when we first met at the hunt ball. Oh, such a glorious time, a time which keeps me aglow.
I wait, impatiently for your next write, and pray the Lord forgive me for such rude impatience.
My fondest love, always,
Sam.
For my darling EVE.
MEMORY’S FACE.
What night, within imagination’s soft time
Does not, in its brief stay of dream’s illumination
Allow a drift of sweet face, in memory’s climb
In dedication to a smile of love’s presentation
Light up the pass of dear emotion’s lasting style
That memory, in its fascination’s delighting
Since first, in witness, I saw the gift a smile
Sweet face cleans a night’s dark to brightening
Gave mind’s thought pleasant times in tracing
On reflection, gave a heaven your smile in glow
To heighten moon’s brief spell, to heart’s racing
Once seen, your beloved face, is to ever know
A soft moon’s glide is heavens queenly grace
That gives memory to pleasure your sweet face
My Dearest Sam,
How I smile when I read your words my love. The harshness of war has not intruded upon the gentleness of your words. How you flatter me and touch my heart. Just as you touched my heart when first we met at the hunt ball. Oh how I wanted to only dance with you that eve. I fell in love that night and I have loved you eve r since.
I have begun to knit scarves and gloves for the soldiers. Our church group will collect them and forward them. There is going to be a harsh winter this year with frost bite taking its toll in the fields and trenches. My contribution to the war efforts can not compare to your sacrifice my love, you give so much for England.
I have begun painting a picture of you from the photograph in my cameo. How I wish I had one in your uniform, but this one is quite dashing. I want to give it to your mother this coming Christmas. I shall see her tomorow. I sat with her in church this week as my mama was tending to a cold and did not go.
How I wish you were here to see the orange and pink sky sunset. I sit and I wonder how the sunsets look across the sea. I shall wait in anticipation of your next post my dear Sam. Feel my love for you as you read my words. I miss you. God Bless you.
Affectionately Yours, Eve
FOR YOU MY LOVE
Remembance of raptures and melodies
Within this waiting heart love so dwells
My true love has sailed across the sea
Faced the turbulance of the ocean swells
Now our love shall be tested tried and true
It shall not wane as lunar light does shine
From the moment we met my love, I knew
A truer love then yours I could not find
Alone I stroll with thoughts to ramble
As I look back I see such joy and laughter
Down rose garden path I meander, amble
With sweet thoughts lingering long after
See within this heart all that that I am
It beats only for you my dear sweet Sam
For Only You, Eve
MY DEAREST EVE (16)
My darling Eve,
I am sorry that I have had to miss some time with my writing, I have been seconded to helping move some wagons further along the line and it has taken us two days to push and pull the weight of this cargo through early Summer rain, so that mud sucked into our energy that we dropped asleep wherever we had the chance.
Poor Tim cried at the thought of my leaving him, so much so that I bargained with the Sergeant to let the poor lad come with us. It cost me my silver cigarette case, the one Mother and Father bought me, but it was worth it, just to see the lad’s face wreathed it smiles. He lies, caked in mud and sound asleep as I write this letter. This reminds me, Tim asked me this morning, why I appeared so unafraid. I told him I was in love, now he cannot wait to be in love. His words to me where, ‘So love makes heroes of us all!’
Such words from a lad, such wisdom!
We are further to the front and I now hear more plainly the thud of shells and crackle of gunfire. We are to remain here till the rest of the troop catches up in the week, so we shall be rested.
Well, my dearest girl, I shall have my love for you and my faith in God to have me the hero.
My fondest love and regards.
Sam.
For my darling EVE.
LOVE DOES MAKE HEROES.
Does not love, in a dear statement of vanity
Say that, with contentment comes much pride
We fear no living hell or raging mist of insanity
No mountain’s height, no depth or ocean’s wide
That men, in love, hear only the idealistic call
I will swear, in truth, to fight for my lady-fair
For in love, does love not make heroes of us all
To win dear love, courage is beyond all compare
To honour a love, which heralds heart’s rousing
I am a lion, who has such need of sweet victory
I would be the castle, strong safety’s housing
Come close, sweet love , make a hero out of me
Fight you hard for love and in love will you fall
For, in truth, love does make heroes of us all
Dearest Sam,
I sit in the cool of the shade this warm summer day of the garden and read your post. I can only imagine the hardship you endure with the mud.I am glad Tim could tag along with you. He has gotten very artached to my dear Sam. He was drawn to your gentleness as I was we we first met.
The church social went well. Your aunt Beth attended so I spoke of you quite a bit to her. She was engrossed on every word. She sends her love. Everyone had tea and krumpets. I think we were all a comfort to each other.
Penny just ran off chasing a rabbit that was as big as her. There is a family of baby bunnies in a near by warren. I so enjoy watching them.
The buttercups are in full bloom among the daiseys and queen anne lace. How I look forward to our picnics there when you return. I shall enclose my love within this letter and a few rose petals . The scent will renmind you of the times we sat here last summer. God Bless you Sam. I love you.
Affectionately Yours, Eve
LOVE IS
Placed within so tender with care
Petals soft with fragrance to inhale
Reminders of your sweet lady fair
waiting when homeward you sail
Simple things others take for granted
A rose, a starling, or sunmer breeze
Seen so clearly with love implanted
Love sweeter then honey from bees
Emotions intense, love comes calling
Life begins to feel so much sweeter
We walk hand in hand, so enthralling
On brink of ecstacy true love tetters
Two hearts are one, two spirit uplift
To love and be loved, life's greatest gift
All My Love, Eve
DEAREST EVE (17)
My sweetest Eve,
How valiant your letters make me feel and how they help me lose the sense of fear I have when I see the flares and hear the thunder of guns at night. I clutch your words to my heart and find such comfort.
This land around us seems so deserted and barren, as we pushed the wagon, we passed many small villages, doors opened and houses abandoned, as if we were the dreaded enemy. One wonders where all the young men are, not even a chicken moves, although I am sure, the chicken would soon be in one of the pots, should it take to the road. At time, when the roar of shells stop, there can be a deathly silence, while the sky appears to become quite dull and gray, a strange phenomena indeed.
We have been told that, tomorrow, we are to be moved even closer to the front, to clear the ground of horse and cow carcasses. I will tell you, I am not looking forward to the task, though it has to be done, so that ground troops and artillery can move forward.
I know that, soon, we will be taken directly to the front, to take our places in the trenches. In this case, we test each other on mustard gas drill.
I so look forward to your letters, for the strength you give. I send my love and full appreciation.
Always, Sam.
NIGHT’S FIRE.
What thunder’s announce is fear’s clout
And the flash of fire from muzzles proud
So stars douse their twinkle, to darken out
While a Moon is hid to the sullen cloud
Night bears such gloom to this atmosphere
The guns which roar a grand deal of death
And the spiteful hails of lethal metal’s gear
Which give truth to a sense of nothing’s left
Poor cows and horses, to distortion’s lying
Effect a lost cause to a ‘No-man’s Land’
In swollen company to those brave dying
Reaching out, in plea for a helping hand
What glory is in this mulch of human mess
Beyond the care of sympathy’s tenderness.
My Dearest Sam,
I sit beneath the oak to read your words as I escape the warm summer rays. The picture you paint with your words brings the harshness and cruelty of war's devastation to life. I can not fathom all you must see my love. I am grateful that somehow your spirits stay high with your steadfast faith and in the knowledge of my love, in such grim circumstances you now find yourself in from day to day. I pray it ends soon.
Yesterday I strolled down to the old mill and cooled off walking barefoot in the pond and then painting in the summer light. The water wheel is a lovely backdrop to the pond for my painting. I have not yet completed your picture. I work on that at home in the the sitting room.Mama is there sewing and papa with his pipe reading his classics he so adores.
Your mother has invited my parents and I to dinner after chapel Sunday. She has decided to partake in our war effort group. It grows larger each week. More and more men leave for the coast.
I so enjoy the quietude as I sit here. It lets me draw you into my thoughts ever so close as I close my eyes. Now my wonderful Sam I must head back home for dinner. I leave you with all my love and blessings. I miss you the most when I breath.
My Love Forever, Eve
QUIETUDE MID LOVE
Drawn into the realm of beauteous peace
Serene amid nature's tranquil landscape
Brings to the mind this wondrous release
Above billowy white clouds we escape
To where our thoughts fly we do not care
These captured moments for us to share
Now come soar with me feel light as air
Into the quietude of the azure sky fair
Love's emotions released upon cloud
Falls gently as two hearts share a dream
Words of two lover's bellow out loud
Echoes in sky blue, buttermilk cream
My journey takes flight as I sit and think
Words of love flow upon paper in ink
MY DEAREST EVE (18)
My sweetest Eve,
It seems to me that your letters take a deal longer to reach me, I must expect what goes on, as this conflict seems to have settled down and might take longer than expected. I will tell you, your letters are my salvation, a joy which lights up my life amid the darkness which goes on around us.
We have been joined by a larger group of men and have been practicing bayonet drill long with acting under orders which are controlled by whistle blasts. The men seem to be more somber in their outlook and the singing is not up to the same standard as it was a few weeks ago.
The Summer has caught up with us, though the weather seems to retain that grey, unhappy, state which seems to go along with wars and calamities. Yesterday, we met some men who were being transferred back behind the lines. There were dirty and lackluster, not speaking much and not in condition to exchange handshakes. Many just walked as if asleep, with drawn pale faces. I silently prayed for them as they passed.
I can tell you, our time is upon our company to move up to the trenches. I ask that you pray for us, dearest girl. I send you all my love, asking that you pray for us.
Sam.
We are not, to a duty, devoid of attention
That we have no care for those in misery
But how might we care to give full mention
For those who have fought through our history
How many are they who have given their lives
Nondescript persons,men who lie to the sod
Is there any history of the dead which survives
Only what we feel and their time spent with God
What point is our dying, what purpose is served
To give a world ghosts, of men more mourned
Bronze statues are made of heroes un-nerved
While the reality of fear is for cowards, scorned
So here's to the heroes, boys, here's to his story
Here's a drink to him, who died for the glory
My Dearest Sam,
With news of the war intensifying how anxiously I await your letters now. I sit and read your words as I gaze upon the summer sun as it streams through the window. My thoughts are with you as your love and the sun warm me. How I miss you and pray you are home before the year ends.
My family had a most delightful time at your parents dinner party. Your mother spoke of you often and I could almost feel your presence at the table. Grace was said for you and all our boys fighting in France. Afterward in the sitting room I played piano for their enjoyment. How I missed you standing there turning the music book pages as you did so often. I miss you so very much.
We both must stay ever strong in our faith with news reaching home the war is intensifying and may last longer the expected. Rumors spread through the valley so quickly and stir many fears and concerns among the loved one left behind.I hold on to your love to sustain the loneliness. Our memories are ever sweet and I am grateful to have them to comfort me.
I send all my love and devotion. I shall be waiting no matter the time it takes for your return. God bless you my sweet Sam.
All My Love and Affection, Eve
WALK IN FAITH
My emotions overwhelm as I read this
War is not fair nor kind to those who fight
Recall our last embrace and goodbye kiss
Once more England will be in you sight
Keep your faith and hope in times trying
Tomorrow shall bring a new ray of hope
God shall be with the dead and the dying
He helps the living understand and cope
Carry my love with you always into battle
Prayers and blessings are wrapped around
The riderless horse with its empty saddle
Another spirit rises upward Heaven bound
Let mind and spirit by faith be driven
Within my nightly prayers hope is given
MY DEAREST EVE (19)
My Blessed Eve,
Having read your latest mail, I was held to telling Tim about earlier times, when you played on the piano and I turned the pages at your signal. Tim was amazed at your refinement, that you could play a tune. Mind you, he is quite adapt at blowing on the mouth-organ and I am beginning to recognize some of the war-songs which all the lads sing.
Your letters are such comfort to me and bring such sweet memories. I fear I shall need your happy spirit, in happy company because, tomorrow, we are to move right up to enemy lines, to take our places in the trenches. We have been drilling for a time when we are to be led ‘Over the top’, this expression meaning, to follow the officers when a whistle is blown, to climb the trench ladders and move through the wire-fence, into ‘No-Mans-land’, to be in close combat with the Germans.
Jock McCadam, a wiry old Scot has told us not to bother with ‘Bulling-up’ our kit, the Germans will kill us, clean or not. In a strange way, his drastic sayings have a way of making us laugh and we go to our beds in good humour.
Well, my sweetest love, I have to leave you now and prepare my kit for tomorrow. I will steal clean my kit and Tim will do likewise. I wish you a fondest love. Take care, my darling girl,
Sam.
IN FUTURE’S KISS.
What fortune does any star hold in foretelling
And who, in desperation would want to know
Is it a sprig of white heather, a Gypsy’s selling
Or palm’s read, that each line has fate on show
I am not into trust of superstition’s sorry myth
That a colour is, to announcement, good or bad
No rolled dice is a cause for good sense’s tiff
Ignorance is a blessing, not happiness nor sad
Better for a man, even the beasts of the field
To put trust in The Lord, with a silent prayer
What good is wished luck, for a soldier’ wield
God is best comfort, so have trust in His care
What any man does is to his own mind’s accord
Should he fight, then must luck sheave his sword
My Dearest Sam,
How my heart races to know as I read this you have been moved to the front. My eyes tear up as I rest the letter in my lap before I am done reading to bow my head and pray. I have dreaded this day but I must keep strong myself in my faith and our love as I tell you.
It gives me joy to know my words can bring you and young Tim some pleasure even in that place void of happiness. Your words and poetry sustains me and help me find strength and understanding in this war that seems to have no purpose but pain and death for our boys.
Yesterday mid afternoon my stroll I lay in a field upon the whites of the clover and searched the sky in deep thought.The summer breeze touched ever so soft upon my cheek, as though your kiss adrift from afar had found me.
Our war effort group has grown in number as more and more family members are call to country's duty. Many young local lads are so eager to join. I fear they do not know of the cruelty and harshness you my dearest Sam have witnessed.Our chapel shall hold a picnic day for the children of those with fathers away at war. We will take a wagon ride to the mill pond with them. It will be nice to see and hear their laughter.
I close now with all the love I have in my heart. It is for you to hold close. I shall pray God protects you and your fellow soldiers especially Tim. Write when you can my sweet Sam.
Love and Affection, Eve
AT DAY'S END
Search day's end in fields of clover white
Imagination stretched far beyond the blue
I watch my love takes off in winged flight
Search the heavens to find my love true
Peaceful moments swirl in withered mind
From any distance love's power can be felt
For invisible are true love's ties that bind
Blessed, when in God's house love dwelt
Holding you ever close this summer day
In thoughts of yesterday and you I retreat
How it helps keep horrors of war at bay
As I get lost in your love so ever sweet
Your faith a sword, my love be a shield
Love for you lay upon white clover field
MY DEAREST EVE (20)
My dearest Eve,
Today, your letter arrived and I sit here in the bottom of a deep trench and answering your words. We have been sitting here for over a week now, sunning ourselves in a fierce heat, the trenches acting as a baking tray. I did expect us to be fast into action but it would seem this is a war of attrition , each side in wait.
It is rather a strange performance, in that we are so near to the enemy, only some yards and barbed wire keeping u apart, that we even exchange harsh words, sometimes pleasantries with them.
Mind you; yesterday, we were given a lesson in care. One of the officers put a helmet on a stick and poked it above the trench. No sooner was it in view to the Germans than a sniper put a bullet through it! We are, now, extremely careful about staying low and keeping our heads down.
I read poetry and passages from the Bible to the lads and even Tim is giving verse to those who will listen. It would seem, at present, the days are quiet, while the nights are alive to bright flares and salvos of gun-fire. I also know this kind of quiet is the lull before the storm . Your letter is such a calming to me, that all goes on as usual at home. It pleases me that the ladies put in such good war effort .
I send you my love and total affection, my kisses,
Sam.
For my darling EVE.
THE QUIET TIME .
In a time of lull, a quiet deafening of noise
That suspicious eyes will cast wary glances
So heart’s beat fast and hard breathing annoys
That it breaks the silence that danger enhances
The Tiger creeps, in it’s stealthy approaching
While the prey drinks, unaware, so true to form
Soft is the noise as the Tiger comes, encroaching
To make the sudden kill, the lull before the storm
This softening, this quiet noise of ring’s alarm
Is instinctive to the animal sense of fighting men
For we are wary, for any sound of coming harm
And we wait, in a noise of quiet danger till then
All men are aware, of the quiet noise of silence
The stalking Tiger waits with eyes of violence
My Dearest Sam,
Though your posts are not as forthcoming they still bring me comfort and joy when they arrive. I thank God it has remained quiet on the front since you are there. How my heart reaches to comfort you as I read the conditions you endure mid the summer heat. I am trying to understand the reasoning behind this war, yet I fele it is senseless and humanity will pay a very high cost till it ends.
The picnic and the wagon ride to the pond for the children was a delight for all. Even your mother had a nice time. It was good to see the girls and boys fish and swim but most of all laugh and smile. I even waded in and remembered when we would spend hours there last summer. We had no idea how our lives were about to change. I hold those days close to my heart till we can share them again.
I sat within the garden late last night. In the stillness I gazed upon the moon and missed you so. The distance between us does not seem as far when I think of you looking at the moon to. How I pray you are safe and this war so unkind to so many ends soon. Though I send you all my love and prayers, sometimes I feel helpless I wish I could do more.I so admire you my dear Sam. So proud I am to love you. May God bless and keep you and return you to me soon.
Forever Loving You, Eve
LOVER'S MOON
Beneath pale full moon I sit and ponder
Of true love cross the sea over yonder
More precious then diamonds and pearls
Sweeter then candy or buttermilk swirls
Happiness in hearts tucked away awhile
Till once more we dance neath the moon
With our faith face tribulation and trial
My dearest love we will be together soon
Once more there will be laughter heard
In each others arms we shall twirl around
I long to hear your speak in poetic word
Your voice recites, what a beautiful sound
Deep thoughts mid the garden alone at night
You hold me, we dance, beneath moonlight
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