Soldier's Letter
Whether I am at war or not, leaving my love so far behind, my fortunes seemed
long ago tossed, the cards read, the bones spilled along the ground. Darkness
lays across my path, surrendered to my ill luck. Bring not forth the righteous hour,
which stands at the end of days, but bring forth the next day's sunrise. I will
wake to meet the next challenge, but does my love suffer for it? If
winter's embrace comes and I am not home, do not weep for me; for I will be
standing at your door afore the tides of summer come. Fear not that the Earth
embraces me, for death has no illusions of making me her own. The reaper tossed
his scythe into the tall grass long ago. War or not, I will come home.
Fortune's sprite may not take me, but neither will the grave.
I know
that cold walls and a full purse do not a true home make; but ere I come, I
must not loose the world in your eyes and let it come falling down upon us, in
our homestead paradise, stealing our bread, quenching the flames that light our
night, and wrecking the walls of our home. Hold yourself with this thought, let
not doubt creep into our bed; for, though I must be gone, to make what slim
fortunes that will carry our home, I shall return, and I will always love you.
It hurt my heart to part from you, even for a moment, but it hurts more to see
your world torn asunder by the ravages of lesser men, baser men than I who wish
just to downgrade us for having not a pound, nor penny, to pay.
Fair-weather
friends have told you to mark their words, I am not a man of standing, but by
steel and might of will I forge my way through this life, trying to prove
myself to naught else but you. I have worked my knuckle to bone these hard
years. I have not wanted, nor waned, of love; for, I know you are with me.
My love has not lessened but grew from the first touch of your eyes on
mine and the first caress of your lips that paint much passion in my heart. I
stand not still in this world but drive to profess my soul to you in a poet's
dreams, so you may take this physical ghost of me wherever else you go.
A man, nothing else.
