I Want To Come Home

December 1917

My dearest Eliza,

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Think not of me on rainy days. For it does not rain here.

Think not of me on stormy days. For it does not storm here.

Think not of me when thunder booms. For I am far from the guns.

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Think of me when the sun shines on your face. For it likewise shines on mine.

Think of me when the flowers bloom. For they bloom around me in plenty.

Think of me when your heart is light. For soon shall end this dreadful fight.

-

Think better of me as the ships carry us home. For I did my duty.

Think better of me as the victory flags are waved. For I return to you with honour.

Think better of me if I hobble back to you. For I bear the tags of my effort in gold on my chest.

-

Forever yours,

Milo.

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January 1918

My dear one far from home,

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Remember not the rainy days. For they vanish when your letters come my way.

Remember not the stormy days. For the skies are clear with your words in hand.

Remember not the thunder’s booms. For they are as distant to me as are the guns to you.

-

Remember the gleaming sun. For it shines on the green fields of home.

Remember the flower’s scent. For it awaits your quick return.

Remember that my heart is light with news of you. For I swear to you that it is true.

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Remember the promise you made to me. For to return to us is your first duty.

Remember the bells that rang. For they await your return in somber silence.

Remember that however you return, I await you here. For to me you are most dear.

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Forever yours,

Eliza.

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-0-

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August 1918

Light of my heart,

Despised is every hour that we are apart.

Every body I see pass by on horse-drawn cart,

is a man I know who kept close at heart,

the letters sent by loved ones for whom he was doing his part.

-

In training we learned the art,

of killing for the Marshall we thought so smart.

But our leaders only see us as numbers on their chart.

And live in fear of the whistle to start,

the charge against the Hun, our counterpart.

-

Your visage I keep by my heart,

in the silver locket from you a reminder of home while we’re apart.

And your letters, each a work of art

I carry them always so that, should I depart

This mortal plain,

Something only to occur adjoined with mortal pain,

I have close at hand your love.

Nourishing as springtime rain.

Do not think that I seek to profane,

nor yet do I wish to add to you any strain

I remember well your claim

that I swore a duty to you beyond what before the Crown was lain.

-

To that end,

I forced the officer to rend,

my promotion papers I would not let him send.

Sergeants die in greatest numbers,

and I promised I would not lie at rest in the mud of Flanders.

So, I do now what I must,

To stay loyal and keep your trust

and answer your promise as I must.

-

Think of me when the sun does brightly shine,

When it kisses your skin with tender grace

When it lights your lovely, smiling face,

For it likewise shines on mine.

-

Forever yours,

Milo.

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October 1918

Dearest one, my darling dear,

Answer quick to allay my fear.

There is rumour in the town,

and many a worried frown.

Could it be that I will soon have you standing near,

Will I finally have you returning here?

With the end so close I am in greater fear.

That rumour passed from mouth to ear.

-

Could it be that before the year has run its course,

we will leave behind this test of force?

Trepidation fills my heart,

For ever minute we are apart.

Hurry home and reinforce,

Hurry to my side my love and thus endorse,

The rumour whispered by three fourths

Of the people you all left behind.

Lay to rest my weary mind.

-

Answer quick my own true love,

Tell me doves of peace will safely fly.

Tell me soon you will make me sigh,

in joy for seeing you beneath the clear blue sky,

of home after so long away.

And tell me that by my side you’ll always stay;

never more to roam across the world and far from me,

never more to go to sea.

Tell me also that you love me,

tell me that you’ve kept your eyes to see,

the children waiting for you with me.

-

Tell me please, my darling dear,

tell me that the time is near.

Write to me with words of joy,

that I might tell our darling boy.

-

Write me soon and allay my fear.

Write me that ere the end of year

This dreadful war has run its course,

we will never again feel its remorse.

For the wish I hold most dear,

is that soon you’ll be standing here.

-

Yours from now ‘til end of time,

Waiting to whisper that you’re mine,

-

Eliza

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November 1918

I know not what to say.

The news came down to us here yesterday.

My love, my cherished heart,

I have news that I must impart.

After many years away at war.

after years on a foreign shore.

after losing friends by the score.

I write to you with a heart made sore

with a longing I thought I could ignore.

No longer can restrain what I long to say,

-

The guns fell silent yesterday!

-

Your rumour heard in darkest night,

the rumour that gave you such delight.

Is true at last!

This shall be in the past.

as will our tears

Born of loss these four long years.

-

The silence while I’m away at sea,

will surely a blessed contrast be,

For at last I’m finally free.

And so, I’ll swear with earnest glee,

-

When I return across the foam,

Never again shall I roam.

My love I’m coming home!

-

Milo.