Dear John

The young soldier sits alone

Letter in his hand

Thoughts of the one he loves

At home

While he fights in this

Savage land,

She starts “Dearest John”

I’ll be as brief as I can

Holding this back from

You would be more than

I can stand,

Since you went away

I’ve been so alone

Ne’er knowing if

And when you

Will be home,

I’m sorry John

For I’ve met someone

New and I have to be

Truthful with you,

The soldier rips the

Paper to shreds

In rage and torment

He leaps to his feet,

Firing as he

Rushes headlong towards

The enemy,

He takes a round

In the center of his chest

As this young soldier

Falls to the ground

And breathes his last breath,

He whispers

My name ain’t

“Dear John”

by  Larry W. Gordon

  October 2006