Casualties of War

                                                Casualties of War            March 2019

 

Home from school on a hot summer day
Silence broken by a muffled sob
Cautious tread on cold hard floor,
followed the sound with doubt and fear
Found mother nearly by open wooden chest
Clutching framed photograph of unknown man
Wearing naval attire and brave shy smile
Her tearstained face then turned to me
He was my fiancé she sadly said
Missing at sea – I gave up all hope
Joined the air force – met your father
The wedding came fast, just a few days ahead
Guests and family from near and far

An unexpected knock on her door
Long lost fiancé rescued, returned
What should she do?
Went ahead with her new plans
Numbly past the years
Till now.
The family foundered
Parents parted
Damn all wars.

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