all her life
even as a
curly little girl
she had a dream
dancing
in her mind
a treasure unrevealed
unseen
by anyone
a secret.. in her dreams
the boy next door
was all she could see
he was
the sweetest little boy
just across the yard
always winking
forever teasing
they played all day till it was dark
and every day
she would call his name
Rickie, come and play again
over time
they grew to be
the greatest childhood friends
living their days
learning each others ways
holding hands and becoming teens
taking her to the prom
whispering i love yous
alone in his car.. best friends by far
you see
HE.. was her dream
and to him.. she was everything
later he went away
a man in a uniform
gone to serve his nation
leaving her in tears
smiling as he walked away
waving and swearing.. it will be OK
in his letters
he never mentioned his fears
just the pride he felt.. each day to serve
and his love
for his curly haired girl
and their plans to marry.. when he returned
writing a letter to him on the porch
a car approached with a star on the side
and men with a letter.. her man had died
a letter.. saved from the start
written for this very day, just in case
carried in his pocket.. next to his heart
his last words of love
if anything should happen to me
I want you to know.. I will love you
for all eternity.. so you will always be with me
I adore you, Rickie
LeeL
Author notes
I had so many friends, who`s woman recieved this letter.
We all carried them for our loveones, just in case.
I never used mine, I am pleased to say.
Written July 29th, 2006
What did you think
Comments
1 - 46 of 46
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Each one of the pieces you've written about that terrible moment of time take those of us who were to immature to remember to a sorrowful but beautiful place. You take is into the heart of the men that served. Into their fears and their hopes. They are all just beautiful.
Thank you Rick on more levels then you know.
Marianne -
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Marianne
We all had prewritten letters
If they were in my squad
it was expected I would write the family as well
to soften the cold anoucement the Army would deliver
I wrote several
Too much to say on here
Thank you for reading
Rick
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Hi Rose, thank you for reading this. I don`t know how you came upon it since it is quite burried in my writing. I used to have a copy of my letter, somehow it got lost in moving once. I thank you for your comment, Rick
PS: I do still have my sled from when I was seven years old -
Excellent
What a precious poem that speaks of true love in the depths of the soul. I am glad you never had to use such a letter but I am equally glad that you wrote this amazing poem. It was very moving. -
What a beautiful poem that is well penned. I know every word came from your heart. I am having a hard time typing this through the tears sliding down my face. God bless you and all our Military. We Americans can never repay you all for our Freedom, and Freedom does come at a high price. I Salute you one and all and I mean this. This is the title to one of my poems posted on AP. May God bless you and shelter you safe in His arms.
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Darling
You write of yourself
your feelings your wealth
saved in your heart
a promise, now art.
Smoosh
Janet -
For not having the need to use this letter is a true blessing to each and every poet who shares your life on Allpoetry.
Beautiful and I do thank lynn marie for sending me to view this.
Much Love
Recluse Writer -
lovely written
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ok so now you made me cry,
this is just too sad.
so very touching, and beautifully told.
great write my friend.
going to wipe my tears now.
joyce -
Just a note to my fellow Poets.
I wanted to thank the people who commented in such carring ways for me and to let you know it is appreated. I have been asked before if I ever reread my comments. On poems like this I read them over and over again. Even thou some of this makes me cry, I think it is healing for me, and for that I bless you all.
Rick -
Shirly, Just to let you know, I don`t have to know your dad to know he was a good men. The Coreman, were the most beloved men in Nam. They raised the mortality rate to the highest of any modern war, prior to the Gulf War. They were the first we would see if we got poped. The red cross on there helmet, unlike other wars, did not save them in Viet Nam. The Cominist considered them Prime Targets. Tell him I said "Welcome home brother 68-69" he will know, Rick
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Lynn you are so sweet. I appreate you and your kind words. I have many brothers and sisters as I think I have told you. They are good men and women. Ten in all. I think my dad may have been a bit of a romantic too...lol Bob being just 22 months younger, has always been my closest. He is a Docter without status, and for that the nurses all love him. He is just a kind man.
Rick -
Thank you for your wonderfull comment Bob. What others always called luck, I call feelings and when I get one, I have learned to act on it. I think we could also call it the luck of the Irish...lol This writing has been helping me out and my blood dreams have been less frequent, so I am pleased. Thank you for being my buddy, keep healing, and I will see you soon, Rick
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Rick,
The comment your brother left is incredible. I am speechless beyond that. The gift and bond the two of you share is love and power in its' truest and most beautiful form. God bless you both.
~J. -
Excellent-poem,Indeed'
Okay,this is very nice,Rick !Glad that U didn't have to use that letter,either.I really like this one,too. Maybe you know My Dad,James M. Watrous';he was a coreman',in the Navy.Thank 'God' 'Our Mom',never got one of those letters,either.'Praise God'...Nice write.'God Bless'.Love,your friend,Shirley ann shaw-raytown,mo.64133....P.S. I finally had some 'free time'..LOL. I also liked your poem@The Stars',never had a chance to tell ya.....Good Show!!! -
what a tremendous bond you and your brother have. he asked me to read this; and as i wipe away the tears; i am so very moved at the love between you both. that you so graciously and with such deep respect share this with your readers speaks volumes as to the courage and endless love that overflows out of your hearts for all. the "Irish Blessing" is very special and i wish for you both to be blessed with this as you share your love as brothers; men and to all whose lives you so deeply touch~
your poems are a lovely reflection of the breadth of your soul~
may you find love that gifts you with peace, serenity and joy in its most purest form; unconditional love for the incredible man you are~
thank you with much grace~
lynn -
Excellent
Dear Rick,
I am so glad to see that you have written this. I know what an incredibly strong person you are, and how this “making war” thing has affected a person of your sensitivities. “The gift” that we have been cursed with, the “clear voice” that was so present in Aunt Pat, Mom, me and you, has both kept you safe and been such a disturbance to your gentle nature. Who but Aunt Pat, you, me and Mom knew hours before our curled hair cousin Mike died in Viet Nam, his fate. Who but you would dare to walk out of a bunker to face the uncertainties of open fire by hundreds of “Cong” in the open, seconds before the bunker was hit by direct mortar fire and blew up with all it’s souls. It hasn’t been easy for any of us, least of all you. And we both know other things, in sync, in real-time, too upsetting to talk about. I hope that this expression of your feelings, masterfully penned, can bring some slight peace of mind, and that you rest easier tonight. You are amazing, dear poet. I give you an Irish blessing: May the sun shine on your loved ones for a thousand years; may the moon find you smiling at your one true love; may the road rise up to great your step; may your friends fondly great you, and offer you the hospitality of the Kings or Tara; may you sing a song so sweet the angel soar in amusement; may you live your life so prophetic that God sets a place for you at His table an hour before we greave your passing. Yours in brotherhood, Bob
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Great job!
Very good work! Full of love and loss... A sad ending to a beautiful story! Very well written! I enjoyed this piece!! Keep up the great work! Debi -
Sighhh...I know a few Vets, Rick. I understand, as much as any civilian can. Thank you for your service...both to our country...& to the loved ones of your brothers in arms...
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Wanda, I had to redo one for a boy named Ronn Ball. He was banged very hard. I had sent the recopied letter to his mom origionally because I was his Sergent and friend.. She wrote back and ask more about his death. Eventually she ask for the origional. Almost pleeded for it. I finally relented and sent it to her stained and torn. She placed it at the Wall in Washington in 1972 and thanked me with all her heart. She wrote me like a son untill 1995 when she died. That is all I can say.
Rick
Edited on Jul 29, 4:51 p.m. because 'spelling'. -
Trina, I know you are close to God. Sometimes he will reach out and put his hand so close, we can almost feel it. I have felt his hand again and again. Not because I am worthy, but because I beleive. Rick
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Sighhh...Absolutely beautiful, Rick...I, too, am glad you never had to use yours...& that your Friends could count on you to see theirs delivered...Balm for broken hearts that their loved ones would cherish for all time...Be well, Poet...
Wanda
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I am pleased to be able to read such lovely words...even more pleased am I that you never had to use yours. This is a sweet, romantic poem that takes one back...well done...Trina
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Baised on my writing letters to parents and Girlfriends.
Let me send you a poem, Rick -
Very nice Rick. I would guess this was based on something real?
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Thank you Lynn, it is my empathy that compelles me, Rick
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your kindness for others is only exceeded by the love in your heart. this poem is a perfect example of your depth of compassion for others and it is a priviledge for me to read such a moving poem of such great love for mankind~
bless you for simply being you
lynn -
I wanted to say more to you. You above all, see where I am in my heart so deeply. It rings out in every comment. I thank you for feeling my words so compleatly. You are a Great friend, Rick
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Thank you Brenda for feeling my words SO deeply, I am with you, Rick
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oh my gosh I am in tears..This was so beautifuly written full of emotion of love and tragic lost...I remember sitting on my aunt's porch when I was just a liitle girl, and a car pulling up
and two men in uniform got out to tell her my uncle had died...
Excellent job my friend. God bless, and be safe.Brenda -
Thank you Angel, it was my Goal not to die. Thank you much, Rick
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Most beautiful!
I'm very proud you didn't have to use your letter, my friend!
This one touched my heart! -
Thank you Linda. I must have done OK if it is a Favorite, Rick
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I have a new favorite...
I love this! So sweet and adoring...Simply BEAUTIFUL!!!
Lynda
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Sometimes life is sad, Rick
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Lynn, for 10 months, every time I would change uniforms, i would move my letter from one pocket to another. Almost everyone in our squade had written one. If it became soiled, it was their best friends duty to rewrite it and send it away.
I had many friends, so I wrote a few, Rick -
this made me cry. its beautiful. not going to show my aunt bc her man is army man...but omg its pretty but sad
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a most poignant poem exquisitely written with deep abiding respect for those whose dreams ended all too suddenly and tragically. your sentiments are of innocence and how precious life is and also how very fragile. the details you portray of such adorable childhood memories of the two is breathtaking to read. your words though sweet; emphasize so strongly the importance of living in the moment~
the lines:
"If anything should happen to me
I want you to know.. I will love you
for all eternity.. so you will always be with me"
"I adore you, Rickie"
is hauntingly beautiful~
a stunning poem~
lynn
p.s. your authors's comments are very personal and i thank you for sharing this most tender poem and wish for readers who have had such an experience; to feel peace in your loving words~
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Trista, I am crying. I was tooo lucky, others were not. I was just experimenting with my memories, Rick
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Excellent
Rick,
Before I get to the important stuff, just a couple of minor corrections for the poem. "living there days" there should be "their". Then towards the end, did you mean to put "incase" like one word, or just miss the space?
Okay, now that all that nastiness is done...WOW. I think this is actually my favorite by you so far. No economy of words here, and yet every one is essential to the poem and tells the story with breathtaking clarity. Not only is it hard for me to imagine receiving a letter like this, I can't imagine how it would have to feel to WRITE such a letter. You weren't just lucky, dear. The world needed you here for a reason.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and beautiful write.
~J. -
Love, it touches my soul too, I was JUST LUCKY
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Wonderful!
Wow!! This is a poem with a powerful emotional punch. I can see the two in this grand love story. I can only imagine the impact of the words that told her that the love of her life was gone. This is a poem to touch the soul. -
Thank you Victoria, For years I had the full letter, Written to my Mom and Dad and Brothers and Sisters, and for a girl named Valerie. Somehow it got lost. Thank you for reading
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OH my goodness~!!!!! Powerful, emotional, loving....sad. A mixture of emotions. I lvoed the way you penned this. Unfortunately some receive them letters and luckily some dont. I am happy and glad to say, that I am gald you werent one of them that had to be read. Thanks for showing me this link, i loved it.
Love you and be well.
Victoria -
Thank you for reading, I don`t know how you got this poem, but i am glad you like it, Rick
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wow, this poem is so good and so bitter sweet, because even through the deep sadness of the words there's a hint of hope because the girl isn't alone and his last thoughts and words were of her and always will be... wonderful job!
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