True Valentine's Scarlett and Rhett

Believe it or not despite the fact that people has so much to worry about during the Civil War and that their lives might be changed forever Valentine's were still exchanged. Valentine’s became popular among lonely soldiers and the sweethearts and wives they left behind during the Civil War. wives and sweethearts who were left waiting for them. These Valentine's cards depicted loving couples parting or scenes with battlefield tents. It was lonely on the war front and lonely at home and Valentine's brought warmth to everyone's heart.

Among the more creative Valentine’s were broken hearts symbolizing the sadness soldiers felt being far from home. Window Valentine’s had flaps that showed a soldier with open arms inside waiting for his sweetheart and a sweetheart or a wife put a lock of her hair in these and they were greatly treasured by the soldiers. The Puzzle Purse was another thing that came about at this time where the four corners of an envelope were inwardly folded with a message written inside of each flap.

The classic movie ”Gone With the Wind” with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the starring roles of Scarlett and Rhett who had a loving but stormy romance gave everyone a good look at the Civil War years. Perhaps if they had exchanged Valentine’s they might have kept the love for each other within their hearts. My poem tells their story.

It was a time,

of Southern grace,

of lovely plantations

and a quiet life long ago in rhyme.

In the time of peace and southern plantations,

Katie Scarlett O’Hara,

was the belle of the county -

the apple of her father’s eye.

She was a wild rose,

calculating and vindictive,

hiding it all behind a demure look

and a simpering smile.

Other Southern belles envied Scarlett,

but the one who she hurt the most,

Melanie loved her unselfishly -

though she favored Ashley, Melanie's beau.

Now country gentleman Ashley,

though handsome in looks,

was by far the wrong choice,

for a hot-headed girl like Scarlett.

The moment that Scarlett and Rhett met,

the sparks did fly

and anyone who took a look -

could see the passion that smouldered in their eyes.

Civil War came booming in,

amid the cannons,

the battles and horrors -

soldiers were dying every day.

Scarlett with her incredible flair,

became a widow too soon,

when she'd married to hurt the wrong lover -

her Ashley who she could never have.

Rhett remained a background memory,

always somewhere working for a cause.

While Scarlett went scheming on her way -

through the Civil War days.

As things were coming toward the end,

the war was leaving devastation behind.

Rhett got her and Melanie out -

while Atlanta burned in flames.

So Scarlett returned to Tara,

one more time to find a South,

so very different from the land,

she had left behind.

Ashley would come home,

to his Melanie and their son.

Scarlett’s heart would continue to ache-

still for that forbidden love.

It took one more marriage,

before her life turned to Rhett again,

this time they married,

you’d think the fairytale had begun.

But with lovers like these,

life is not always kind,

tragedy took their daughter Bonnie Blue

and their love began to unravel.

Rhett rallied some,

but try as he might,

he couldn’t get that gleam -

out of Scarlett’s eye nor Ashley from her mind.

It took a tragedy,

the death of dear Melanie,

for Scarlett to realize that she was

and had always been Ashley’s one true love.

It was now Scarlett’s turn,

to realize the deep and true love,

that Rhett had always offered her -

was genuine and true.

So in despair, she ran,

to the one man who had turned away from her,

ran to him only to find -

that he no longer gave a damn.

You can only push love so far,

then a moment comes,

when you can’t undo -

what has been done.

The romance had come to a standstill,

for Scarlett and for Rhett,

too late to heal the scars -

their romance ending with the slamming of a door.

We all know Scarlett’s famous final line. Scarlett with an aching heart already scheming to get her Rhett back knowing she will return to Tara and think of a way to stoke the fires of love once again, ”After all tomorrow is another day.” Well, we all have come to realize that tomorrows are promised to no one.

So this Valentine’s give the love of your life a big kiss and tell them, ”I love you.” Keep doing it all through the years because when the time comes for parting the hurt will be a lot less if you parted with words of love.

Back in 2017. I left my husband and soul mate behind in the hospital thinking I would be seeing him the next day. His passing was totally unexpected and I never saw him alive again. Sure wish I could have said one last I love you for even after four years it does not get easier, Every Valentine's I can light a candle, look toward the heavens and smile knowing he is somewhere nearby and someday will be waiting for me.