vinebar

Calling 797-2238
24 May, 2008
Author: Shiloh

vinebar

I was going back again,
and I wanted to say goodbye,
one last time,
just in case...
But every time I called,
your phone just rang and rang.
I got my orders in the afternoon,
and later I spent nearly the entire night
in a phone booth,
calling you,
and listening to your phone ringing.
Looking back,
I can understand why I did that,
but I also can't justify it,
because the finality
of that Wednesday evening
told me that it was over.
I remember only a little of the hours
after you returned my ring -
the long walk in the cold,
not really thinking,
but trying to understand,
and not understanding...
finding myself at the center
of the Court Street bridge,
looking down into the cold water...
reaching into my pocket,
removing the ring box,
taking the ring out of the box,
dropping the box into the water,
then dropping the ring after it.
It was a stupid gesture, maybe,
but I no longer had any use for it.
And later, before I went back overseas,
I stood in a telephone booth on base,
and listened to the ringing of 797-2238,
over and over and over...

vinebar

Comments on this poem/writing:

Bipedalguy (65.96.237.196) -- Sunday, May 25 2008, 08:59 pm

Touching

Very sad but very expressive writing. It really gets the feeling across.
The prospect of being sent away for a long time makes it hurt even more. For over 40 years my most frequent nightmare is based on going back again after the draft board lost the records of my completed military service. I tried to explain that their records were wrong, but they said my case could only be handled after I was reinducted at which time the mistake could be officially evaluated. I bet this has a familiar ring to it.
anonymous (71.217.50.47) -- Sunday, June 8 2008, 03:05 am

Those old memories

A soldier in the service. For those soldiers in the service that broke up with their girlfriends or got a "Dear John letter". It is very painful when you need them the most. That ring that was sent back to you, that unbelievable letter. Made strong men drop to their knees and lose their minds. How time has erase the pain but not the memory. Thanks!
 
Name:                                           Remember Me

Comment Title:

Comment / Ammendment:

Please complete the recaptcha below for spam prevention:

Click here to read other Poems by Shiloh

vinebar

Poetic Dreams Other's Poetic Dreams Submit a Poem New This Week Forum Home

Copyright©2017-1999 by Rebecca R. Hammack

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All Rights Reserved.   No part of this website, including all pictures and written words,  may be reproduced or copied in any manner from this website without  permission of the original author of the work.  All poetry and pictures herein remain the sole property of the original author and/or copyright owner.  All poetry on this website has been submitted by the original author of the work. To contact any author of the work please e-mail: dreamer@dreamersreality.com  so the proper person may be notified.