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A letter from a soldier

My Darling Linda.
How can I tell you of my love, when every word, on every line I write, is censored. [G’day Sir, are you ready to start? I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Linda.}
Linda. this is my platoon commander, Lieutenant Smithson. All of us in the platoon call him Smithy, but not to his face of course.

I have to tell you, Darling, that he has to read all my letters to you, and to censor every word that I write in them; just in case I say something which will breach security, or let you know where I am, instead of telling you how much I love you. [How’m I doing so far, Sir? You don't really mind being called Smithy, do you?].

Out here [No Sir, I’m not going to say where!], the weather is...[I nearly did it, Sir.]... If I say wet, Sir will think you’ll assume I’m in the rain forest. And, if I say we’ve had no rain for weeks, you’ll imagine me somewhere in the desert, [and you wouldn’t let that go uncensored, would you Sir?].

So let’s just say the weather has been variable, as it so often is in those regions between the rain forest and the desert. [Is that O.K. Sir?].  Now you’ll need to study your atlas really carefully, Darling, to find all the places that are between the rain forests and the deserts, won’t you? [I don’t think having an atlas in one’s home is a breach of security, is it Sir?].

Enough of this, just know that wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, you are my Darling and I love you. [At least just leave the last few words alone – please Sir!].

Your loving husband

Bill

SWALK

Author notes

I know this isn't a 'poem' but it may give you an idea of what a member of the military has to contend with when on fulltime military service.

It was first written on active service, overseas.
In Brit Army all letters have to be censored before being mailed to ensure that no information about the whereabouts of troops is disclosed.

A contest entry

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Comments


  • Pollycheck
    April 14, 2008

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    Thank you for entering my military contest. I realize that this was probably written tongue in cheek. it does however hit very close to home with many of us veterans. Thank you for sharing.