Like the last leaf of autumn I cling to you,
everything grows cold, what else can I do?
Stark and black are the days up ahead,
I refuse to believe that you are dead.
Your arms enfold me when I’m asleep,
you brush away my tears when I weep.
I hear your voice when I wake at night,
whispering that everything will be alright.
Your clothes still lay there on the chair,
your favourite sweater you always wear.
I swear that it still feels warm to me.
You can’t be dead, how could that be?
That man said that you saved your friend,
that you drove first around that bend.
He said it was quick, you wouldn’t know,
you wouldn’t have heard the land mine blow.
Three days ago you were stood right there
smiling and laughing and ruffling my hair.
Saying you’d be home as soon as you can
and things weren’t so bad in Afghanistan.
I know I have to face saying goodbye.
I will stand there proud and hold my head high
because I know you hated to see my tears
but this is the worst of army wives fears.
Author notes
Prompt: Option 2 Picture 3 titled "Cold Mornings" by Nighty
In honour of the troops killed today. God bless them and their families.
A contest entry
- [Options Contest] by OurxBeginning.
550 points, ended May 9, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - {#233} For my AP family only by daviscth.
400 points, ended June 16, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Your Best Poems (Great Points) by Tqop.
1000 points, ended July 23, 19 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 33 of 33
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Heart rending
A nice tribute to the unfortunates of conflict who are called upon to lay down
their lives for their political masters, sometimes not even knowing why, yet giving
their all without a thought for themselves. A lovely poem heartfelt well
written and meant.Best Wishes...George
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Remarkable you are the voice for many who need to be heard . You sent me to tears with this it is true . We have so many heroes Shelia God love you our young need this so badly and the families.
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Thank you for your kind comment Aiyana. So many young people losing their lives in a war they can't win. The second all troops pull out they will back to fighting among themselves as they have since time began, it is their way and nothing will change it. Some wars have been worth fighting but this one it not worth one single life of our troops - but that is only my own opinion. God bless those who have lost someone they love.
Sheila
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Your heartfelt poem touched me very deeply. I have three sons in the Marines one whom has been to Iraq twice now the second time his best friend was blown up by a land mine right before his eyes, I could never imagine his or anyones pain from loosing a loved one this way. Your touching words touched my heart and I am sure they have touched many others. Bless you my friend.
Hugs,
Theresa
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Thank you for your comment Theresa. I know about your lovely boys and I wish them all well and a safe return from combat duty. A friend of my granddaughter has now returned to Afghanistan and she is finding it difficult to even speak about him now. They all found him very changed from the carefree pal who left the first time, he had so outgrown his civilian pals at home. He has had to grow up fast and the group of friends he left behind are still kids. God bless every one of them fighting so far from home and God bless those who wait for their safe homecoming. Sheila
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Thanks for sharing. Great job on the delivery.
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Well I made it through to the 3rd stanza and then the tears began rolling.
I can't wait till I find the strength and the courage to finish reading the poem and actually absorb the words of the last 3 stanzas.
You captured the imagery of a widows moments exactly
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Nicole, you really understand the same as any army wife would, the sudden death of your husband, a strong man one minute and gone the next. The disbelief, the pain, refusing to believe, more pain, and so it goes on in great waves. I know it is not the same but I was like that when my Dad died. It was a long time before I finally made my self accept that he wasn't coming home again and then I was able to cry real outward tears. I was in a fog until then and couldn't cry, felt like screaming but could not shed one tear, it was an awful feeling. I had to write the poem with remembering that feeling.
Sheila
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Okay, now you had the tears rolling hear because i know that this piece is very deep and so very close to truth...is truth itself. The feeling you put into every word was felt and the vivid images produced showed me yourself there and your love watching over you. Amazing. God bless them all.
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Every day they are giving out names of those who have been killed and I feel so much for those girls, brides or young mum's, most of them, who have lost their love. You may not agree with the war but you have to support those who stand up for you, so you still have the right to say in public that you don't agree with it without fear of arrest or death. I thank you for your kind words condor. Sheila
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awwwww
this is so touching......feelin every word.....awwww.....a very beautiful write.....
thank you for sharing this........xx
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Hi Jayde (are you over in Carmarthen?) Thank you for your lovely comment, I really appreciate you stopping by. Sheila
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You have truly captured life and death here with such beauty, love, and sadness. My heart and blessings go out to you.
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Thank you for your very welcome comment Redmoon, it is much appreciated. Sheila
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WELL DONE
An emotional piece, woderful flow.
great job letting the audience feel your fears, and love for this man. peace be with you my friend
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Thank you Vickie Rosa. I appreciate your kind comment. Sheila
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Wow... This is really amazing. Your poem is filled with such emotion and imagery.. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Cathy Sheila
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Hi Sheila !!
A very poignant poem , that i am sure will
touch many readers hearts , as it did mine !
Thank you for sharing !! A wonderful write !!
Best wishes & hugs , Friend Easy
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Thank you for your very welcome comment Easy. You see these lovely fresh young faces on the TV and your heart just crumbles. I wrote this as soon as I saw the very lovely young bride and her groom and three weeks later she was an army widow. So many broken hearts and broken bodies and for what this time? Sheila
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This is a beautiful, heartwrenching write... your rhyme and flow are amazing. Keep up the great work, my friend
Maria
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This is a wonderful poem indeed! Those military wives are amazing. I am sure I couldn't bear wondering each day if my husband or partner was coming home.
You penned those feelings and thoughts so well I think.
The flow was just excellent because I read this without realising it was rhyming! Always a sign of a good rhymer I think.
Thank you for sharing.
Gaylene
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Thank you so much Gaylene for your lovely comment. This is a subject close to my heart and I feel so much sadness for those who can only wait and worry. The troops are fully trained for what they do and do it well, those who wait get no training. Sheila
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That's so true Sheila
Maybe it's time for more support for wives and partners
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Beautiful write Sheila, I too spent several years as a military wife...and loved it...
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amysticwriter, thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my poem. You are really qualified to comment on it. I appreciate it. Sheila
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holding my breath
this is stunning, a work of wonder, each word pulled me on towards an ending I feared but knew must come , I absolutly love this one!!
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I wrote it after seeing a poor young girl on the TV news, A beautiful girl aged 21, now a widow after being married three months. Her husband was such a lovely young man, they should of had more time. Thank you for reading it and commenting Annie. Sheila
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Wonderful
Being ex-military, I must say you make a soldier proud. I must say, once one is in the thick of it, it is not so bad. A soldier's attention is, or should be, so focused that it does not seem so bad. It hardest for those who love and care and have to wait.
Howard
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Thank you for your welcome comment Howard and I agree, it is harder for those who can only wait at home. I am from a naval family and all my uncles were in the military during WW2 so I know all about waiting at home in fear, from first hand experience. Although we were not married at the time my husband was in Borneo. Sheila
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A beautiful yet sad poem, rhyming and flow are excellent and the imagery is very strong. A delight to read.
All the best in the contest ... Sue
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Thank you for your very welcome comment Sue. I value your opinion as you have the knowledge and feel for rhyme that I envy. Sheila
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A very strong and powerful write. It holds a lot of sorrow. Your rhyming is very good in this. It is a worst fear of an Army wife indeed. Thanks for entering and good luck.
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