The Engagement
The gate swings on its hinges in the cooling Autumn breeze
a tapestry of gold and red spun by fallen leaves,
they cling tight to each other, for every second counts
the sound of marching feet as the eerie tension mounts.
One last kiss he gives her with a promise that he’ll write
like summer rain her tears fall, until he’s out of sight.
My darling, things are fine here, the lads can be quite fun,
the weather’s not too cold, we’ve even seen some sun,
"Any chance of gloves dear, and a pound of Campbell’s tea,
one last question darling, when I’m home, please marry me?"
‘Winter’s fast approaching, the village seems so bare
life goes on the same here, but there’s no Christmas Fair,
the church was struck by lightning and whooping cough is rife
in answer to your question, “Yes, I’ll be your wife”.
Many months have passed now the seasons came and went
letters passed between them, so much love was sent.
‘I love you so my sweetheart, your smile warms up my heart
I long for days to hold you and our life together start,
at night it’s cold and lonely though our moons are both the same,
the war may soon be over and you my bride, I’ll claim’.
‘The crops are in, the yield is good, the meadows in full bloom,
my dress is lace and simple, it waits here in my room,
I read reports and pray each night that you’ll be here with me
before the year is over, oh please God, hear my plea’.
His letters became fewer as the fighting got intense
her letters were sent every week to mask her own pretence,
a long cold lonely winter she had spent without a word,
until that fateful morning her heartfelt scream was heard.
Returned to her, her letters, unopened and unread,
she knew that it was over as she cried upon her bed,
her life now lay in tatters, her spirit it had died
no husband and no marriage, her tears spent, now she sighed.
Life went on as normal though she vowed to love no-more,
with simple grace and fortitude and courage to the core,
her dress she kept in tissue in a box upon a shelf
or wore it in soft candlelight, dancing by herself.
The day the war was over, jubilation through the land,
with a heavy heart she went outside to hear the marching band,
standing by the gate on her toes to see the sight
marching men, all heroes with loved ones to unite.
A smile upon her lips but an aching in her soul
she closed the door behind now she never could be whole,
a gentle knocking stirred her, excited cries without
her sister burst in though the door with one ecstatic shout.
She takes the box down from the shelf with love inside her eyes
removes the dress so slowly looks at it and sighs,
she fusses round her sister, so beautiful and bright
radiant and blushing for this her wedding night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There he stood her soldier, her love who went to war,
returning as a shadow of the man he was before,
the smile on his lips and the sparkle in his eyes
hid from her the horrors and the deeply seated lies.
They cling tight to each other, for every passing day,
whatever life may offer, together they will stay.
Honorable winner
Gold trophy winner
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