My Dearest Eve (21-30)

MY DEAREST EVE (21)

My dearest Eve,

It is always so good to read of home, even though it breaks my heart to know you and those I love are so far away. As for myself, I am in a very rude of health and even putting on weight with the ‘Bully-Beef’ I feed myself on. We lie in our trenches, on our backs, to soak up the sun, feeding ourselves from tins, mostly beans and tinned meat.

I will tell you, out of boredom, I actually volunteered to join the men who creep out at night, beyond the barbed wire, into ‘No-Mans-land’, to remove the carcasses of any animals who have strayed into the path of gunfire and to see if we can help the stretcher-bearers carry the wounded and dead back to our lines. It is a strange business, the enemy allowing a time of truce, so that this work is carried out.

I am sorry to admit that I am getting quite immune to the sight of those poor men, but God gives me the courage and strength to carry out such tasks. And I am thankful of the long days or relative peace with which we laze and read.

However, I do feel a certain intensity building, as officers move among us, giving orders and shouts of encouragement. I pray the Lord delivers me safe back to your sweet arms.

I send this letter to you with a fondest love,

Sam.


For my darling EVE.

TIME’S DREAMING.

How does time, in its very role of crafty play
Creep, to lose a mind’s to an hour’s intelligence
Thief; who would have us while away light of day
To forget the honest work which needs commence

But, is it not the right of all to sit in soft dreaming
To seek serenity’s calm within a silent thought
The loss of dark time is all of fancy’s scheming
And time’s soft net is then, to a daydream, caught

Find me a cover, against a rainy forecast’s call
So ideas do not cry me tears, inside my head
Give me a soft pillow of dreams to break my fall
Let me not think about the hard which lays ahead

Dear time, in its happy state of reasonable kind
Is calming to health and a happier state of mind


My Dearest Sam,

You post is like a ray of sunshine on this gray rainy summer morning. That is so like you to volunteer when you could stay in the safety of the trenches. That is wonderful young Tim is learning poetry from you. He  seems to admire you as a big brother.Give him my regards and let him know I pray for him too.

The war effort is expanding and this week we gathered at the church and half the women and girls are preparing jams and preserves to send to the boys overseas.With winter yet to come we still knit scarves and gloves. and blankets. The sweetness in the air was a delight to inhale. We have decided to collect bed linens to make bandages too. The younger children are collecting sheets and other materials to be used. So everyone is doing their part.
With the rain falling I shall do some painting on your portrait instead of my morning stroll. I do hope your mother likes it.

My sweet Sam, how gentle you pen your words of love for me amid so much harshness surrounding you.Your good nature, I love so much about you, seems unshakable no matter the circumstances that befall you. I send my devotion to you. There is no other I want to share my life with but you Sam. God be with you.


Affectionately Yours, Eve


DEVOTION

There come a time in life love comes to call
A certain someone enters our heart unknowing
Without even thinking in love we deeply fall
Loving feelings keep growing and growing

Apart, our minds wander to them in thought
We can not wait to be with them again
To Pass the time quickly is earnestly sought
As we feel happier then we have ever been

Slight touch of soft hand, to lovingly gaze
Want time to stand still whenever together
Requited love is spoken in poetic phrase
His thoughts drift back to fields of heather

Love bound in devotion, two souls find song
Hearts know when the right one comes along

MY DEAREST EVE (22)

My darling Eve,

How wonderful it was, to be able to relax for a while and just find a quiet spot so that I could read your letter in peace. You must know, the whole scene is alive with activity and men running everywhere. Sometimes, I get the feeling this is a giant film-set and we are just actors, waiting for the director to call for the act to start.

Last night was a time of complete surprise. As we lay in our trenches, the flares were lighting up the ground and so all kept their heads down. Suddenly, it all went quiet, the flares stopped and then we heard a song being sung in German. The voice seemed to float over to us from the opposite trenches. Then more voices joined in, until the whole place was alive with singing. This was swollen when one of our officers began to sing ‘God Save The King’. Everybody began to sing at the top of their voices, some even climbing up the trench ladders and standing out in the open. It was so bizarre!

It is a wonder how a song can make friends of us all. I would expect us to be in the thick of war next time, such is war. I was asked if I would like to train as an officer, it would seem a good education and quality of speech makes good leading material.

Well, my darling girl, I shall be writing again.

With a fondest love,

Sam.


THE SWEET SONG.


Should you sing, to a sweetest voicing
Then is the uplift of sound to a cheering mind
How dear is the raise of that heart’s rejoicing
To take thoughts away from a hard daily grind

Happy are the birds, in their freedom of flight
The trill of their song as they sing to the dawn
Are they not God’s choir, a wondrous delight
And no comparison of sweet song can be drawn

And we all know the joy of a melody’s tuning
How a song in the heart is a sweet happiness
To have audience to a loved voice crooning
Is to hear to a song of cheered company’s bless

What fine company is sweet song to humanity
For it gives glad comfort with no voiced vanity


My Dearest Sam, The garden is in full bloom as I sit among its beauty and read your post to me. Your words always bring you close to me. My emotions well up with pride as I read of you and the others in song. I get the same feeling in chapel as we sing our hymns. Love of country is so evident in your words and here at home with our war effort. 

As I sit and read, Penny has wandered off to chase another rabbit. It is her favorite pass time A young lad passed by and played with her yesterday. As I watched I thought how you use to run and play with her. She does miss you to. How I miss the touch of your hand as we took our strolls.

I shall be off to see your mother after I read this . She awaits so anxiously to here word of you.I am glad I can say you are safe this day. To be an officer would be grand, but how do you feel about it my love?  I shall write again soon. May God be with you.  My heart remains true to you. I love you my dearest Sam.


Missing You My Love, Eve


WORDS AND SONGS 


Songs can quell an aching heart broken
Feel God's love with hymns sung strong
Souls are soothed with poetry spoken
Burst with pride as soldiers sing along

Sweet melody takes hold, brings smiles
Words uplift within sonnets and rhyme
Love of country drifts in air for miles
Songs and hymns stand the test of time

I sit and play the ivory and ebony keys
One more song as I bid you good night
Fingers play love songs to fly on breeze
Upon the wind let my words take flight

In heart love's rhapsody plays on and on
My heart misses you since you are gone

MY DEAREST EVE  (23)

My darling Eve,

I write to tell you of a most horrific happening and that it is only the thought of you and your love that I can continue in this horror. Yesterday morning, we were told to prepare to go over the top and attack the enemy. At the blast of whistles, we placed our ladders against the earth walls and climbed out, to rush in a furious dash, bayonets fixed, towards the enemy.

I pray that the memory leaves my mind and I cry now at the thought of the slaughter. We raced blindly across the barren strip and I could hear the rattle of guns above the shouts and heard bullets whizzing around like angry bees.

My dear God! Men fell all around me, crying and shrieking with pain. And I could do nothing! Dearest Eve, I felt so hopeless, so alone in my fear and helplessness.

I heard the whistles blast and someone told me to retreat, pushing me in the back as I stood, looking at the dead and wounded around me. I cannot remember getting back to the trench. Men were crying like babies. I hugged Tim and cried with him. It is all so futile, my darling Eve, such a waste of lives. I pray to God that He gives me courage for the next assault. Pray for me, I beg you, my love. Pray and allow me to gain strength from your sweet heart. I love you.

Sam.

GOD AND YOUR LOVE.


Fear, in its maddening urge for flight
Has an edge on the softer steel of courage
Sharp-eyed dread cuts to the quick of sight
And energy’s boost is to escape the stage

Courage is not an inbuilt factor of quality
No inherent staff, which hold’s mind erect
Though fear is a lurk behind the gallantry
In hide’s the coward, from other eyes detect

So I stand in face of the danger to come
God on my left and your love to my right
My mind is the pipe, my heart is the drum
To stand up, for glory and to win the fight

Though fear is the leading to a high anxiety
I am strong in sweet love, to set my spirit free


My Dearest Sam,

My tears fall and my hands tremble as I read your words and realize how close you come to death each day. I shall pray my love.The thoughts that fill my mind as I read I dare not write. I want my words to comfort you and as you read them have hope we will get past this cruel ugly war and begin our life anew as we planned. I have faith in God that He will not let anything happen to such a good man as you my dearest Sam.


The dew covered flowers sparkle as the sun arises. from the fine mist that fell overnight. It shimmers like diamonds. It would be such a lovely picture to paint. I should be done your portrait next week. You look so dashing in it. I smile as I paint and know I am painting the man I love.

I send you all my love this day. Keep faith and hope alive in your heart as I do mine. Nothing will keep us apart and we will hold each other again. I do not know when but whenever it is I am waiting to love you forever. May God be with you and may my love comfort you in these these uncertain times. I love you so.


All My Love, Eve


LOVE  AWAITS

Hold the injustice and unkindness at bay
With  faith and hope kept amid war's ravage
Seek the silver lining mid the skies of grey
Through battles fought so cruel and savage

For home await another time and place
One that comforts and brings mind's relief
Picture there love upon sweetheart's face

And pray the separation will be only brief

There she wait with love in heart and hand
To once more hold you close in her arms
Keep faith as the winds of war are fanned
That God will keep you safe from all harm

Let love drift upon air from shore to shore
Soon you will be in her arms once more

MY DEAREST EVE (24)

My dearest Eve,

It has been so long since I received your last letter and I now hold it in my hands and re-read it as I write in reply. Your words are so beautiful and so heartening. How I miss your love and warmth, how I miss those sweet lips which I long to kiss.

In many ways, I feel some strange kind of numbness, to the fallen and wounded, to the dead and dying. I know it would seem harsh to you and not of my nature, though we have faced the enemy a number of times now, racing through ‘No-Man’s-Land’ and I see neither friend nor enemy beside me. It would seem that those men I began this war with are either dead of taken from the field on stretchers.

Tim is still with me and a stalwart by my side as we run the gauntlet, there are times when he appears to be my shield, rather than the other way round. He certainly is a man now, with great courage. A strange thing is happening at night; as we go to collect our men lying on the field, the enemy are standing above their trenches, cheering us and calling us… ‘Brave Tommies’. It would seem that our continual rush into the face of enemy guns, our slaughter, is gaining us a reputation. I have no idea when you might receive this letter, my darling girl, but know I am safe and will love you till my life is taken, I write in love,

Sam.

LISTEN TO LOVE.

How dear are words of sweet comfort’s talk
When darkness has its gnashed teeth in bite
To feel the stab of any devil’s tipped fork
To lose all sense and fear day’s darkest night

Come, love, give ears a sound of good cheer
Speak to my mind, whisper words of intrude
That all of sweetest light is in shine’s appear
To calm me from a sense of sinister attitude

Whisper to me plain soft words with a kiss
Dear lines in a write of joy’s fortunate bold
Let me quell this shaking heart that insist
I run from duty, to fear the ground so cold

When a devil has the ear, in whisper’s spite
Listen close to love, words of sweetest light


My Dearest Sam,

The time between your post is longer now and my thoughts wander to a worry with each passing day till I hear from you. It is midway through autumn my love and the leaves of the oak are vibrant in color.Upon my strolls Penny chases the squirrels harvesting the acorns,
You seem to be in the midst of battle now each day. How I pray for you and Tim to not meet harm.

Your mother stopped by yesterday in search of news about you.  I shall visit her tomorrow upon my morning stroll and put her mind at ease.The air is brisk and the farmers I pass are harvesting their fall crops. The house is scented with fresh baked pumpkin pie
I have finished your portrait and though I cherish it so much  I shall give to your mother for Christmas. My buttercup field  painting still brings the warmth of summer to my thoughts even on these brisk autumn days.

As I sit and read your sonnet I can not help but cry as I miss you too. My heart is full of beautiful feelings I long to share with you upon your return. My dearest Sam, may you feel my love within my words as I have felt yours. So many are praying for an end to this war. I hope God answers our prayers. I want you home soon my sweet Sam.

Loving You Always, Eve


MISSING YOU

So deep within my hearts chambers find
Love to last till the end of time for you
Thoughts run rampant within  my mind
Ebb and Flow like waves of ocean blue

We take a stand when drums beat of war
As men sacrifice their lives for humanity
Honorable are brave  men to the core
Not thinking  twice to fight for victory

My dearest Sam you are among the best
That England has sent to fight and defend
Stood tall, answered your country's request
This love I feel in my heart shall never end

May you find rest beneath moon and stars
As soldiers fight this fight to end all wars

DEAREST EVE (25)

My Darling Eve,     

How I do miss you, your sweet voice and the affection you show me. We are so busy here, that there are times when I just work like a robot, so very tired and such little sleep. We seem to be building up for the big push, with horse-drawn artillery moving up to the front lines and we are being joined by foreign troops, French, Australian and New Zealand infantry, all is a mad rush and bustle.

I have been asked to do some field-hospital work, helping to treat those with light wounds. I fear I do not have your light touch and have the men cursing me for my clumsiness. However; they all seem to feel relieved after I have finished the dressings. It’s a fact, we could do with some more bandages and first-aid kits, we have even been washing the old bandages, so they can be used again.

It would seem we will be right in the firing line soon and I have faith in your love and my trust in The Lord, that I shall come out of it with a full skin. We  are told that, after this push, we will be allowed home on some leave, though I suspect this is being said to jolly the men along. This war seems to be never-ending. I have no idea when I will hear from you again but I send you all my love and affection.

Sam.

POOR HADES.

There are no trees, just shell-shocked stumps
Which jut the landscape as jagged grey teeth
And the craters pit the land, hollow dumps
While a black rain falls in sky-anger’s grief

Hades, this madness which humanity brings
This shame upon such land is grimness seen
No more do the birds, in a sky-larking sing
No more, will such pastoral images be green

What fashion is this, that the young must die
When the dear boys have no time for a tear
No time to sit with head bent in to sadly cry
No time, to know the dread feelings of fear

Busy are the hands which do the devil’s deed
Hungry is the mind on which anger will feed

My dearest Sam,

How I cherish your letters and how your words  bring you close to me. I miss you so much my love. Your words comfort me as mine comfort you.

How sad and frightful it must be there for all our boys. The war effort at home is in full force. We now meet at chapel twice a week to make preserves bandages and knit. There is a cold nip in the air to reminds us winter beckons soon so more and more ladies are knitting.

I thank God everyday you are safe from the enemy and nature's harshness.There is a smell of wood burning as I take my stroll into town now. How I shall miss roasting chestnuts with you. How we enjoyed that as we warmed by the fire.

Your parents are well and send their love and prayers. I stop and have tea with them once a week. I have come to look forward to that time  as your mother talk constantly about you. How intently I listen and smile.She has raised a fine young man.

It is evening here and as the sun sets, it glistens upon my window pane.I can not help but think how its beauty is in such comparison to the ugliness which surrounds you.  Please stay safe and keep your faith strong till you return to me. My heart is yours forever.


All My Affection, Eve

SUNLIGHT

Beauty glistens as warm sunbeams cascade
So vibrantly in windows light gently stream
Such vision to inhale as day begins to fade
For after the sunset, follow magical dreams

Upon my face can be seen love's after glow
In eyes of green the smile becomes a spark
When eyes are smiling true love will show
Bring  hope to time that be fearful and dark

Bring warmth, shine upon this world at war
Rays of light from heaven upon us rain
Bring us peace here on Earth forever more
Till we meet again give me hope to sustain

Let me bask in the sun as it passes overhead
Mid sunsets painted hues of amber and red 

MY DEAREST SAM (26) 

My dearest Eve,

You must forgive me for such a long delay in my writing, though I believe you have received a letter from my Commanding Officer, regarding my injuries. I am now recovering in a field hospital from bullet wounds to my legs and write the doctors have assured me I will be alright, in that I will be able to walk once I spend some time in therapy.

It is with deepest regrets that I have to tell you poor Tim was killed in our last clash with the enemy. I can also tell you, if it had not been for his actions, I would have been the one taken, instead of that brave lad. As we raced towards the German lines, the guns opened up and I caught a bullet in the thigh. Tim came from behind me, to put himself between myself and the enemy fire, to receive the bullets meant for me. He died instantly, while I received another bullet to the lower part of the same leg.

I find it so hard to not feel somehow guilty over Tim’s death and reminds me not to make friends in war, the losing is a very bitter pill to swallow. I know this news will sadden you, as it leaves me, I know you will pray for the lad’s soul and my recovery. I will write again from my bed and keep you informed of my recovery. Know my love is always with you, in my very thoughts. I write, with love,

Sam.

SMILE FOR THE BRAVE.

Bravery is not within a tear’s sobbed fall
Though grief be sad rage and broken hearted
Courage is a need to smile, to acknowledge
Those lost, have gone though not departed

Give a nod to their memory, to all those gone
Know they’re safe to the Good Lord’s keeping
The battle is over and they have bravely won
To rest within safe arms and are, soft, sleeping

So raise a cheer and smile for those, not lost
They died, as did Our Sweet Lord, to give
Our land’s deliverance, their lives the cost
To die in battle, brave boys, that we will live

Hard is any battle’s cost, if bravery be won
All will lose a beloved, Father, Brother, Son


My Dearest Sam,

As I sit here I weep within my heart for your  wounds and the loss of young Tim. I had been worried since I had no post from you since six weeks past. Last week your father had stopped with a post  from your commanding officer informing of your wounds.  He assured your parents you would heal and be returned to the front in a matter of weeks. There was no mention of Tim. That sad news reached me with your letter a few moments ago.


I can only imagine my love the sadness you feel of Tim's passing. How brave he was for his young years. I shall go to chapel in the morning and pray for your healing and his sweet soul. Please do not let his death cause you to waiver in your faith. Find strength in knowing you were blessed to know him. He did enrich your life if only for a little while.


The coldness of winter and the bleakness of bare trees are a constant reminder now of the harsh conditions our boys are facing across the sea. We can find a small comfort in knowing the war has not yet embarked on English soil. The young men in town grow scarcer each day as they go off to the coast to train. I shall keep you in my heart and prayers my dearest Sam. Hold onto my never-ending love for strength.


All My Love and Devotion, Eve


Hope And Faith

In wars fought the fragile heart may cease
Heaven bound are the good souls that die
Brave soldier's spirits arise, find final peace
Gabriel's horn plays their final battle cry.

Weep soft for those of honor and the brave
Let their sacrifice for country not be in vain
Let righteous prevail within enemy enclave
Be victorious as the foes dodge and feign

Love from homeland encourages prayer
On battlefields God's love is the shield
Some pay the cost of war's cross to bear
Defending the might enemies can wield

Do not let casualties dishearten or fray
With patriotic pride, hope kneel and pray

MY DEAREST  EVE (28)

 My dearest Eve,

I slowly mend, in that the pain is getting less each day and I can walk a bit. At least, these wounds allow me to receive your mail; would you know, I was given five of your letters which had been delayed through a lack of management. I do realise how hard it must be, to get mail through and sad to think how many men do not hear from their loved ones.

You are right in your writing about my young friend, Tim. I shall tend to think of his memory in good spirit and pray he is at good rest. One wonders how many of our young men have laid down their lives. A strange fact is that, when talking to other men here, it seems that no-one has any idea exactly what this war is about, we die for no good reason!

I was told this morning that I would be transferred to another field hospital, nearer to the front lines, where I can recuperate properly. I shall miss the nursing staff here, but will be glad to be back among the boys. I send you and the family my blessings and my love. You are my rock and my firm strength. You know how I love you and it is this knowledge which gives me strength.

I write, with love and affection,
Sam

EACH NEEDS.

Love, on its own, is not the whole complete
For it is a mix of feelings of sweet make
And soft joy is when all needs are in greet
The need to give, as well as feeling’s take

The joy of love is endearment of purpose
Each has a study of what a purpose serves
Loyalty is a door which is never at close
And trust is no straight, but ever curves

Love is a bliss of know and understanding
Of taking what another has to freely give
Then return the same without demanding
Just sweet retain, that dear love can live

Love gives a know of independent stand
Though love is, from each, a glove to hand



My Dearest Sam,

How your words warm my heart this cold winter day. What wonderful news that your are healing so quickly. As I listen to the wind howl outside my window I take some comfort knowing you are not out in the trenches in this brutal weather. There is word of much frostbite within posts sent back home.  How I pray this war ends soon. I want you home so we can start our life together.
Our meeting at the war effort turned somber when word of a family member's death was revealed by a volunteer. It makes us want to do even more. Words of thank you could never be enough for the sacrifices of our boys. I so admire how you keep your spirits up for uplift those around you.
The garden has a dusting of snow upon the path. My strolls are shortened now till the spring. I sit by the window and watch the season scurry by in all its beauty and fury. How I pray for your return in Spring my love. My longing to hold you increases with each pasing day. My faith and your love are the only things sustaining me from getting lost in my fears and loneliness. Your love surrounds me with such warmth and hope.
It is sad to read some soldiers get no post from home. Perhaps our war effort could write to some of them to show our appreciation back home in England. Please have faith God is with you always and know you are loved and missed by me and your family.

 
Forever Your Love, Eve


LOVE CAN

Love sees us through the blackness of night
It can heal a body with tender love and care
It give courage to win tough battle's fight
Gives men strength mid rockets red glare

Love comforts the man with a child within
Comes from God or a sweetheart or friend
Heals minds and body where ever destine
Encompasses the world from end to end 

Love awakens in the heart with kindness
It soars on wings when it is love true
Love is not judgmental, it is blindness
Accepts who we are and what we do

Love from home felt in battlefield roar
Soothes, comforts mid  ravages of war  

MY DEAREST EVE (28)

My dearest Eve,



Time is a strangest thing; while we lay in the trenches, just waiting for the start of action, the days seem to stretch into infinity and I was almost happy when the fighting began. But here, lying in a hospital bed, time is so boring and the mind is allowed to roam over past hurts and losses. I think of Tim a lot and am thankful you are here, in my thoughts, to stop me from a depression which so many men seem to have. Your love is such a benefit to me and I return that love with deep affection, my darling Eve.



The wards are so full of men who have lost limbs and it is funny that these men appear to be in a happier frame of mind than those of us who have all our limbs and sight. I have been told that I am to be moved tomorrow, so I have no idea when I am able to write again to you or when you will hear from me.

My wounds are healing, a few angry scars and some difficulty in walking, but I am getting there and taking exercises every day.



How I miss you, more at nights, when my thoughts of you drive out the screams and cries of those in pain. I pray we will soon be together again and happy once more. I shall write, once they have moved me to a new destination. Till then, dearest Eve, know I love you.

Sam.

MIND ALONE.

What frustration is time to the lonely soul
For there are no thoughts to fill the mind
An empty church, no spiritual bell to toll
No spirited love to enthuse in sweet kind

What dark, deep, cave has no light inside
That none might know what lurks within
A lonely mind has dark thoughts, to hide
Whatever is the truth and whatever is sin

Poor loneliness is such yearning negation
To need the light, to brighten mind’s bare
Love is sweet drink, thought’s celebration
The mind is full of dear treasures, in care

Love has a joy of memorable seeds sown
With thoughts of love, one is never alone


My Dearest Sam,

Snow falls gently outside my window as I hold you close in my heart reading your post. How I want to hold you in comfort my love. The sad memories of Tim shall fade and the happy will remain always in your heart. The days moves ever slowly in England too. The war has slowed time for so many.


I am thankful your wounds heal even though it brings you closer to the return to battle. nGod was there to protect  you and will remain with you my sweet Sam. Praying each night, I  have dear thoughts of you too when darkness shades the sky. Thoughts of our plans made before this dreadful war swirl in my head as I fall asleep.


Upon my stroll this morning Penny was rolling in the snow. I smiled thinking to my myself you would be rolling with her if you were here. How I miss those carefree days when war was not such an intrusion on our lives.

Gathering for our war effort is a God sent to those here at home. We share news and stories of our loved ones among  each other. They bond and comfort us as does our prayer time together. I send you my love and the love of your family. How I miss you by my side. If we both hold onto faith my love, all will right and you will return to me.


Forever In My Heart, Eve 


SEASONS CHANGE

Blanket of snow falls upon winter night
Gently in silence white snowflakes lay
Autumn leaves have long taken flight
Soon springtime will be making its way

Love's many seasons grow with change
Beginning slow amid a coy pretense
Understanding love's feeling so strange
Through the years becomes more intense

Then comes comfort and joy in knowing
A special someone to remain in your life
I feel love tonight as it begins snowing
Dreaming becoming husband and wife

Seasons change and time seems to cease
Dear Lord let the world quickly find peace

MY DEAREST EVE (29)

My Dearest Eve,

I am now moved closer to the front lines and can hear the sounds of the guns and have the flares keeping me awake at night. This war is such a bloody business now, with both sides taking a heave toll. From my tent opening I can see the passage of wagons which are full of dying and wounded. In a strange way, I need to get back with my regiment, into the thick of it and fighting for my country.


My leg is nearly healed, just a slight aching when I walk, though I take more and more strenuous exercises each day. I think of you as I take daily exercise and the aches and pains just leave me, while a loving smile replaces the stretch of hurt. I bless you for the strength your love gives me and my faith in The Lord, which gives me the courage to go on. I feel that, no sooner do I add my strength to this fight, the nearer comes the victory and we can all live in peace once more.


The weather here is not kind to the fighting men, I see the men who return from the trenches, they are so worn and covered in mud. They wear balaclavas to keep their heads warm. I will certainly be wearing mine at the time of entrenchment.

Well, darling Eve, pray for me and know I love you, always.

Sam.


REALITY OF LOVE.

Reality is no stranger to thought’s awareness
That it sees the truth of any honest statement
For it is cultured to the strict sense of fairness
All validity is held to truth’s fine arrangement

It brooks no time’s deal with any poor deceit
Yet; is not love’s dream, to a heart, most real
And no quick lie would write a cost in receipt
So poor emotion’s complaint is no lie’s reveal

When , in sad comfort, is not a pain complete
Illusion’s hurt makes honesty of false feeling
It is energy of knowledge, to veracity’s greet
Proof, that no emotion has imitation’s dealing

Love has validation within its constant holding
Real to heart’s truth, to emotion’s molding



My Dearest Sam,

It seems so unfair as I sit by the warm comfort of the fire reading your post that so many young men lay dying and wounded on the battlefield. It seems humanity has become lost in this world. It is wonderful to hear your leg.is almost healed.  The new year has begun and I can not help but wonder if by the end of this year this cruel war will be over.


The mill pond has been frozen over, so yesterday we took the children of the men away fighting for another wagon ride to skate upon the ice. It was such a delightful site as most fell down laughing. with each other. How joyful it seemed and for a while the war was non existent . We stopped at chapel on the way back where a few woman had made hot tea and biscuits for all

Your mother was so surprised and happy when I presented my portrait of you to her. She hugged me so tight and I saw tears in her eyes. How she must miss her only son. I can not fathom being a mother and sending my son to war. She has remained so steadfast as you have my dear Sam.


Sam, think of the beauty in the buttercup field that awaits for you at home, whenever the carnage of war becomes too much to bear. Feel my love in your heart, for it is strong and everlasting. Blessings to you and all our boys to keep you safe the year.

I Love You, Eve


COMBINED FAITH

Where is the humanity in fields of death
A mother cries out  "My God why him"
Mid slain young and old, a final breath
The news of war has become so grim

Brave men still fight onto find victory
In solace hope shines within all aglow
Pushing on each day wholeheartedly
Mid war's reality fortitude shall grow

As battlefield and homeland combine
Unwaivering  faith and hope prevail
So strong the unity of yours and mine
To His Majesty and our Lord we hail

Love will endures come what may
A tightly wove fabric need never fray

MY DEAREST EVE  (30)

My dearest Eve,



I have no idea when you might receive this, my darling girl, it seems that I write yet no-one comes to collect our mail. I put my trust in luck that all our post is, eventually, received. In the same way, it is sometimes two to three months before I gain sense of your mail, often in torn and blacked-out material. However; when you do receive this, you will know I am back in this ghastly war and with my leg quite fit except for the scars.



We are now pushed right into a rage of war and pushing the enemy back into Belgium. Obviously, there is little I might write about where we are stationed and what goes on. What I can tell you is that our young men grow so old within six months of arriving. We are tired and hungry most of the time and live of our sweet memories of home and of our loved ones.



I take you with me, wherever I go, I keep you safe beneath my jacket, pressed against my heart. I cannot wait to walk with you, once more as we used to, among the buttercups and to that country style, where we used to kiss as I lifted you over. Such memories keep my mind alive and my heart throbbing. How I love you, dearest girl, how I shall prove that love when we meet again.

Sam.

IN TWO MINDS.

In life, should we have a separate condition
Of mind, that one does not meet the other
The one part built for bad time’s admission
The other, which has a welcome for the lover

The poor mind harbours grief and sadness
Of hurt and harsh life, all the scars and pain
Let it be the one that is lost, all the badness
Let the mind forget the crying in the rain

The mind which carries all God’s blessings
Of joy and sweet heart’s face in fine appeal
It shines through, to dull the bad, lessening
Hard and lights the goodness of mind’s feel

Should there be a choice of mind’s retention
Hail the good and give the bad no mention


My Dearest Sam,

So many months have past since your last post my love that spring have beckoned the garden once more. I pray this war does not last another year. The warmth is a welcome relief after the harsh winter. The roses bud upon the arbor. How I remember you kissing me beneath when we first met. The fragrance filling our senses.


The news the war will not end soon has reached home. and that reality saddens my heart. So many children are missing their fathers and brothers. A few have lost them to the war and struggle to cope. We are having a picnic after Easter church service Sunday. It will be good to see them laugh and smile. I think the adults will enjoy it as much as the young ones.

Tomorrow I shall walk Penny to see the buttercup field in bloom on the way to tell your mother of this post I received today.You favorite aunt, Beth is there for a visit and it will be nice to see her again.

I shall sit and remember fondly our picnics in the meadow. I shall lay among the flowers, watch the clouds, then wish upon them as they drift to where you are.

I send you all my love within this letter plus my prayers for your safe return and love from your family. Be safe my sweet Sam. I miss need you so.


All My Devotion, Eve


REMEMBRANCES

Sweet memories will remain within the mind
When distance comes between two lovers
Hold onto in darkness the love left behind
Search your dreams when twilight hovers

Both deep within thought in a star gaze
So vivid in mind he see soft green eyes
So angelic she appears in the purple haze
Finds peace in war searching night skies

Cherished moments when war subsides
Though momentary and much too brief
Love sown when two sweethearts collide
Scattered thoughts bring each other relief

Life is made of remembrance of emotion
Love and longing, happiness and devotion