I’ve read her letter
through smiles and tears,
and will read it more times
before the content settles
with our dismantled future plans.
I’ve gone away, but she’s not
coming home.
I’ve paid the cost of a war
with a broken body.
I signed up to fight for the one
no longer waiting back home.
Now there’s nothing for which to fight.
I looked at the name again.
I smiled.
The woman addressed the letter
to another soldier
who died yesterday.
And maybe it’s better that way.

Twitter – @AC0040

(© 2023 AC)

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