I Can't Write it - Prompts - week 1

Many Dear John letters were written during WW2, I never wrote one,but know some guys that got them, it was sad.

My dad never got one, either. Obviously, since he was my dad, but yes, my mother told me about them.

Very funny, Elsie, despite the sadness.

Featured in the Triple Name Club.

It's funny how the context of things gets lost sometimes. I never knew the Dear John letter originated with WWII -- but it makes perfect sense. You hear more about the stand by your military man types it seems.

I believe the name of the Korean POW was Thornton who told of his adventures as a POW--some parts of his story you wouldn't want to hear right after eating. But in one part he spoke of a fellow POW who would have given up except for his determination to return to his beloved wife. He survived, went home and was greeted by his wife with the words, "Honey, if you don't want me to be living in sin you'll give me a divorce!"

Melancholy... Beautifully written.

Sometimes I think there are letters we should never open. John Beck's comment reminds me of a late friend of mine, who'd been a prisoner of war in Hong Kong for six years. His leg was broken and never properly set. In that six years of working in a foundary, he went from 230 to 130 lbs. When he was finally freed, he landed in Vancouver and took a train back east. No one knew he was coming. he hadn't had any mail from his wife and family for six years. So no one was there to meet him. He went to his family home to discover his mother had died and his father had moved. Then he learned that his wife was living with someone else.
After a time he lost both legs. But he did marry again to a lovely woman, went on to have a second family and a good life for the next 60 years. When I was a reporter for the local paper I covered the Hong Kong Vets' reunion. The first one I covered I met 66 previous POWs. The last reunion had only two, plus their children, who brought them. The stories of the cruelties they suffered were horrendous. But none got Dear John letters since none of them had any mail.

But, with the guy you ended up with, I sure know you weren't sad. To get that Bill, I know you'd write Dear John, Tom, Dick and Harry letters for the Bill you received for forgetting any others.

I like your poem, Elsie and your comments about "Dear John" letters brought so many thoughts to mind. What a legacy for all those named "John" to have to live with!

Military life demands much of the girlfriends, fiancees and wives at home.

Loved your drabble, Elsie. I had to smile while I read it, because it nailed the emotions and reasonings so well.

I like this one Elsie.

This is touching and beautiful. we all hate to be the bad guy anyway...

Beautiful poem, Elsie.

Sweet poem, Elsie!!!!

Wonderful Elsie, I bet a lot of "Dear John" letters were written but never sent.

The story is soft yat realistic and told in a manner emmensely poetic.
white blank you were*:

Oh, wow! This is a great take on the prompt!

interesting one, Elsie!

I had to smile, Elsie..It 's sad but by the end you made it all delightful.The beauty of your poem is that you matched the prompt very well.Looking back in history and then coming up with a piece like this, is adorable.

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I just love the ending. It is so difficult to be the one left at home but it is even more difficult to be fighting for your country and know that the person you left behind won't be there for you when and if you get back.

Letters like this must be hard to receive. And they should be even harder to write. Thank goodness some of them get crumbled.

John Beck's comment sums it up. Kindness, thoughtfulness and patience are attributes we need to start emphasizing again.

Your poem does just that.

I know of a woman who was in a consentration camp during WWll, also her husband. They were seperated, but survived. Each not knowing the other lived. She came to America, he stayed in Poland. Each married someone else and had a life. Then 50 yrs later some how found each other. They both decided to stay where they were and with their new spouses.
It was a sad story, but they both were happy with the life they had made for themselfs.

breaking up is hard to do, and so is honesty, no matter where or when.
loved it.

thanks for sharing

Wonderful poem, Elsie. I loved it.

Interesting poem, Elsie. But I wonder why she didn't send it. Is she going to play for a while and then settle down? Will she send it later? Is she thinking hold off, there may be no need to send it? So many what if's. Good poem.

Beautifully written Elsie!! You are just wonderful with words and such a sweet friend!!

Lovely poem. I guessed where it would go, but it went there so well.

Beautiful!