When We said Goodbye

So very long ago
I can emember him standing
by my doorway ready to leave.
God I loved him so much.

I remember his kiss
The one that called
my heart to you he said.
he begged me
Stay one moment more
Don’t go in the door

Give my heart a kiss
To sleep and dream on
I saw your army kitbags packed
You were going to war.

The bugles called in distant lands
I knew the dangers you would face
Fighting in the jungles
I worried about you
You were out of place
With a weapon how could
You kill anyone
So gentle so compassionate.

I opened the door
and led you to my room that night.
I remember after we made love
You said
Don’t worry about me my love
I will crawl through minefields
To get back to you

He promised he would be home
In six months in time for Christmas
His last words echoed in my memory
You are my girl –I love you forever honey

The old lady opened her box of mementos
Took out the stack of letters he sent
Wrapped in a silk blue ribbon
one by one in her frail fingers
She read them in the order he sent them
It was almost like he was still with her
But she remembered
He never did make it home that Christmas