Mother was a war bride
- Mollie
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- Location: Australia
Mother was a war bride
His wings took him
spotting for other wings
in far off places
while she remembered his bright eyes
and not much else.
Looking over horizons
for signs of his return
anguish grew in time with her belly
until a tattered telegram,
I have it still,
arrived with the baby.
Missing in Action
Disbelief
POW
Utter relief
Three years later
water brought him home
wearing a dull stare.
A stranger embraced a stranger
holding a child’s hand
as all hope flew away in those moments.
©
spotting for other wings
in far off places
while she remembered his bright eyes
and not much else.
Looking over horizons
for signs of his return
anguish grew in time with her belly
until a tattered telegram,
I have it still,
arrived with the baby.
Missing in Action
Disbelief
POW
Utter relief
Three years later
water brought him home
wearing a dull stare.
A stranger embraced a stranger
holding a child’s hand
as all hope flew away in those moments.
©
Last edited by Mollie on March 29th, 2016, 7:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words." – Paul Engle
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Re: Mother was a war bride
A sorrowful reunion that could have been so much more... people change and are changed. Cheers Mollie! - Dan
- Mollie
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Re: Mother was a war bride
Thanks Dan for reading my poem and commenting.
"Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words." – Paul Engle
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Re: Mother was a war bride
"A stranger embraced a stranger
holding a child’s hand"
I feel like there is much more that is meant to be read in to those two lines, no? That the lack of a mentioning of embrace for the child upon the reunion of the two strangers holds much significance. Sorry for analyzing.
holding a child’s hand"
I feel like there is much more that is meant to be read in to those two lines, no? That the lack of a mentioning of embrace for the child upon the reunion of the two strangers holds much significance. Sorry for analyzing.
I have
Never met
Anyone
From Missouri
Therefore
I have only
Speculation
To go on
When assuming
It exists
- JP
Never met
Anyone
From Missouri
Therefore
I have only
Speculation
To go on
When assuming
It exists
- JP
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- Regular Member
- Posts: 125
- Joined: January 12th, 2016, 10:54 am
Re: Mother was a war bride
My mother experienced something similar when my father went to Vietnam. I think young love is difficult enough to master and when a separation through violence intervenes the gulf becomes all the wider.
I love the sense you give of both parties being altered by the experience. Because this is so true. Though one leaves and the other stays life and its challenges continue and shape those under their umbrella. Being a single parent is ever a challenge, add in the prospect and worry of a lost spouse and the challenges amplify, shaping the world around them. I think you did a beautiful job telling two stories here. There is rarely just one when people are living parallel lives.
I love the sense you give of both parties being altered by the experience. Because this is so true. Though one leaves and the other stays life and its challenges continue and shape those under their umbrella. Being a single parent is ever a challenge, add in the prospect and worry of a lost spouse and the challenges amplify, shaping the world around them. I think you did a beautiful job telling two stories here. There is rarely just one when people are living parallel lives.
- miharu
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Re: Mother was a war bride
I love the imagery in the first stanza. A beautiful, sobering write. Congratulations on the spotlight!
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Re: Mother was a war bride
This is a wonderful poem and most deserving of a spotlight. Loved it. Well done with this.
- Mollie
- Regular Member
- Posts: 114
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- Location: Australia
Re: Mother was a war bride
Thank you! This is a belated message of thanks; I apologise.
"Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words." – Paul Engle