My Dearest Eve (31 -32)

MY DEAREST EVE (31)

My dearest Eve,

This horror is heated to a degree that one has no time to think. I have managed to find the time to write this, during some serious engagements. We have been involved in a big push and are engaging the enemy through the fields of Flanders. What had once been a glorious scene of beauty is now scarred and burned, the look of hell as shells burst all around and split the earth wide open.

If it were not for you, for my love of you, I think I would go mad. I bless you as my saviour and my urge to go on living. Some of the men seem to throw themselves at the enemy, dashing madly into the line of fire, it is madness and a deadly sin that man should do this to each other.

I am, again, unsure if you receive my letters, though I do send my love, through you to my Mother and Father and the rest of the family. I will be so glad to be back home, to hug each and every one and to hold you in my arms again.

Well, my darling girl, the flares are up and, soon, the whistles will blow, for us to rise again and face those angry men who hate us so much. I fight with you and God on my side and with such fierce determination, that we vanquish the enemy.

I send this with total love for you. Sam.

My Dearest Sam,

My hands cling to your post so tightly. It has taken so long to reach me and I am so thankful you are safe. I can not help but fear the worst sometimes but then my faith lets me be steadfast. How I miss you and long to be with you again. Spring seemed to go so quickly and summer is about to burst upon us. With each passing season my heart misses you and wonders, will this be the season you return to me my love.

The war effort at home in in full swing. We  are thankful for the time with each other and the comfort it brings. Friendships have been formed to last a lifetime. Each week there is news of another loved one lost and we comfort as best we can. You are so right my sweet Sam, this war is sheer madness and so senseless.


I sit in the coolness of the shade in the garden and Penny lay at my feet. The lavender blue of the periwinkle and scent of the yellow roses would take your breath away. We shall enjoy them together again in the quietude of beauty.

With the daylight longer I shall visit your mother this evening to tell her of my post. I shall not wait till tomorrow. She has been anxious too not hearing about you. Her faith like mine, quells our fears in those times worry overwhelms us. How I miss you my love and long to see you again. I hold you ever close to my heart and in my prayers.



Devoted To You, Eve

DEVOTION

With love held close in heart and hand
Each breath I take lets my love renew
Together obstacles we shall withstand
Love for each other shall see us through

If love be true it stands the test of time
No distance to great changes the heart
These words we write of love in rhyme
Shows devotion as war keeps us apart

Upon your return we shall cast aside
All war's harshness and lonely memories
Together with faith we love and abide
Throughout our lives and all eternity

Gather seeds of love, seasons have sown
Mid moon and sunlight continuously shone

MY DEAREST EVE (32) Final

LETTER FROM COMMANDING OFFICER TO EVE

Dear Miss Evelyn James,

As Sam's commanding oficer, it is my sad duty to report the death of Samuel James Lovett. I will tell you this young man gave his life bravely,in the duty for his King and Country.

I would know you might have already been informed by Samuel's parents who would have been already notified and my letter in this instance may seem unusual. The reason for me writing to you in this most personal way is to forward a letter, addressed to you, found beneath Samuel's jacket.

Please find, enclosed, the letter in your name. Once again, please allow me to write that I do write with deep regret and ofer my condolence.

Major G. F. Hollingsworth



LETTER TO COMMANDING OFFICER FROM EVE

Major. G. F. Hollingsworth

I write this post to thank you for sending Sam's last letter to me and notifying me about his death. My heart is saddened by the news and he will be missed by his family and friends. Sam was willing to sacrifice his life for England. He was a man to be proud off on and off the battlefield. His compassion for his fellow man will be remembered. No finer man could he be. My heart will hold him dear and his memory shall stay alive always.

He spoke highly of the men he fought beside and was willingly gave his life as did so many of our young brave boys. I pray not to many more men have to die and the war ends soon.

I close so I may continue grieving for the loss of my dearest Sam. He is with God and young Tim now, who bravely gave his life to save Sams

I thank you for the kindness for your condolences. Sam's last letter will be a great comfort to me and his parents. May God bless our soldiers as they fight on to victory.


Yours Sincerely,

Miss Evelyn James

(The next two pages offer the last letter and sonnet written by Sam to his sweetheart, Eve.)
 

My dear Eve,

I write this as the storm of war abates for a while. The fighting has been vicious and non-stop, with so many good and true men, from both sides, fallen in death. It is times such as this, when my mind is allowed to dwell on it that I feel fear and cannot stop from shaking. But I tell myself, I must get through this nightmare and return to you. In this way, put my faith in God and my trust to your love and luck that we will marry and have such a fine family.

Obviously; I shall go into my Father’s business and take over when he retires. It is thoughts such as these which keep me sane, thoughts and my love for you which give me caution, so that I don’t run straight at the guns trained on me, rather that I zig-zag, to give less a target. It is a worst nightmare than anyone could name, even the stench of Hades could be no worse than this smell of death, this ravage of humanity; and what for? I wonder how it is that we and the enemy pray to the same God, that I ask, whose side is The Lord on?

Such questions are never to my nature, though what I go through causes me a pain of asking.

My darling girl, I ask that you pray for me and ever hold me in mind. Soon there is a final resolve to this war, that we all win or perish.

I write in love and all affection,

Sam.

TO LIFE, TO LIVING

Life, in its ever moving sense of normality
Has no certainty on the road of its existence
One may believe life is lived to a locality
To feel no push of fate, no prod of insistence


And setttlement is, to all, a sense of familiarity
The heart belongs to a  hearth and sweet home
To all, which give good knowledge and security
Wherever a mind will stray in wonder's roam

Fate, a suden, fearful, way of unsuspecting 
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