Terry D. Sutherland

DEAR JOHN

She mailed him the letter
With a five cent postage stamp
When it came he knew better
Than to open it in camp

“I’ve got to go,” she said
“You’ve been gone so very long,
I’ve found someone new to wed.
I need a partner – Is that so wrong?”

In base camp he had the duty
Guarding the perimeter that night
It was his best friend Rudy
That had stolen his promised wife

As the rain dripped off his shoulders
The tears ran down his face
In war he felt much older
She’s in a much better place

The rain washed away the ink
And memories of the past
To his future he had a drink
And to a love that didn’t last