He would pick daisies for her
as they walked along the road.
The water under the bridge rushed
but he didn’t.
He would hold her hand
and they would lie
under the Sycamore tree,
staring at the sky
and dreaming
of their future.
Then one fateful day
he got a letter
from Uncle Sam.
He was called to fight
in a war that made no sense.
she cried
and he tried
to make the best
of the situation.
in ’73
he returned
battered and bruised
inside and out.
Ellen was gone
and so was the sycamore tree
nothing but a memory.
This tragic little story is brought to you by Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers. Please follow the link below for more stories.
An effective metaphor for a love cut down in its bloom. Well done.
Our stories have so much common, isn’t it strange how inspiration can work.
This is so sad. Well told.
I’m sure things like this have happened throughout the world… That’s the really heartbreaking part.
Well told.
Mmmm – I like that, very much, simple, true, well-told, nice poem with a strong subject.
Has happened all too often. Nicely done.
janet
Dear S&B,
And he is left still looking for sense, bereft of love, yearning for the sun to shine again in his life. What a perfect evocation of this stellar prompt photo. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Sadly, unfortunate war memorabilia. Excellent story.
Lovely documentation of a shattered life.
Sad sad sad. Such a waste of life in wars with no meaning.
Beautiful and sad. It’s timeless and happens everywhere, that’s the saddest part.
Sad tale,beautifully written
Beautifully written. I love how it is Ellen who is gone, when we expect it to be him who doesn’t return. Life can be like that.
What a tragedy. The missing tree is a fitting symbol for all that’s been ruined and lost.
I loved it! So sad…. but so realistic. Job well done!
A good, well-written story. This has happened so many times. Let’s hope he can find another love and get on with his life. — Suzanne