»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #10
»
When Mary Was Three
| Open Poetry #10 |
|
When Mary Was Three |
|
|
jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas 
|
When Mary Was Three When Mary was three, I didn't know her yet, but I hear she was something to behold. The day she turned eight I moved in next door, and cried, because she wasn't a boy, as I had been told. When Mary turned twelve, and I was thirteen, she was just a friend; but at sixteen, when she danced in my arms, I knew I was in love, where had I been? I graduated that year, two grades before her, asked if I could write from wherever the Army thought I should be; and when Mary turned eighteen I sent her a gift from 'Nam, and on the card I said, "Happy Birthday, Mary, Love…Sam. Eighteen months later I arrived back home missing a leg, part of an arm, tightly clutching every letter Mary had sent, remembering every word she'd said, holding tightly to my heart the one I cherished the most… "I love you Sam," it had said. And now I place this one red rose, where Mary's heart would be were she not in the ground in front of me. A senseless death, a head on crash, a drunk, out on the streets after three prior trials, took her away from me; and where was I but in Vietnam, killing people unknown to me, when I should have been home killing those that needed to be. When Mary was three, I didn't know her yet. But I bet I would have loved her… even then, you see. w. james beard, jr. ...not for me, but for another not as fortunate as I. (still trying to get it right...bear with me.) [This message has been edited by jwesley (edited 11-08-2000).] |
||
| © Copyright 2000 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
This just breaks my heart. Yes we were sending children to kill strangers while at home our loved ones were being killed by neighbors. To your friend he has my sympathy. |
||
|
Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Oh...this one makes me so sad, but I know how often these things happen, and that makes me angry. When is it going to stop? Thank you for putting this here......I wish the whole world would read this, and weep with us!! Follow your dream! |
||
|
SpitFire Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396 |
~*Sigh*,...Amazing, you AND this. Delicate,...aching,...ahhman, what a write! My thoughts James, are with you. *Peace. |
||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
this doesnt happen often...but I seem to be at a loss for words. may I just leave it at that. take care jm |
||
|
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Boy that's a hard one to have to get used to, I know what you mean by these drunks and I think the laws are going to get stiffer. I don't know what country but there's one (one in South America) where they execute the driver if they kill someone when they are driving under the influence. Very sad tale here but it sure needs to be told and the stark reality of these crimes need to be acentuated even more.....thanks for sharing.. ........ethome |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
James--I am deeply touched by this story and the way you have told it...it is so tragic that a sweet life can be lost so easlily...and because of it the future changes for everyone...hugs! |
||
|
Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
This is stunning...first I was wrapped so tightly in your love story that I was blown away by the ending...Amazing work and my heartfelt sorrow for the families that this touches~ |
||
|
Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
this is so hearbreakingly sad and i seem to be at a loss for words. take care and God Bless! Amy |
||
Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
a sad one indeed...nicely written James.. my heart goes out to the families..and of course the soldiers that give their lives for us and their country. ~Victoria~ A poem is never finished, only abandoned. - Paul Valery (1871-1945) |
||
|
jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Thanks each and every one of you for the read and the comments. One has to feel blessed everyday of one's life when one see's the ordeals that others have to bear. I have a sister-in-law, she died of her injuries (in the early 70's)a few years ago (lived in constant and sometimes unbearable pain for about 10 or so years) who was in a Beetle with her first husband and baby, when they were hit head-on (in their lane) by a drunk in a large Ford; then he backed up, and hit them again. He did this twice! With witnesses! It took off her husbands head, permanently crippled and brain damaged her child, plus put her in a full body cast for 9 months, and some brain damage. The drunk got a $3000.00 fine! And I don't see where things have changed one hell of a lot in that respect. Pardon me, but where is the LAW THAT'S SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT! jimmy |
||
|
poetic_imperfection Junior Member
since 2000-11-01
Posts 45 |
Jimmy, Sad and yet true. There are so many things in this world that I do not understand. Some have even made me doubt my faith, more than once I might add. deep inside me, no matter what, I know that there is a plan and a reason for everyone and everything. It is hard to see that, especially when it hits home. I am sorry or your friends loss but maybe it was also the best gain of his life. Real honest love. take care and good writting. PLY |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
