He gave her a rose, a rose so deep and red. To show his love before he went off to battle for his country so true. To fight for the great Red, White & Blue.

 

She clung to his arm as he hugged her goodbye. He  kissed her once, kissed her twice.

“I love you my sweet butterfly.”

 

She held the rose, kissed his face and held him tight.

“I’ll be back one day.” He promised, fighting the tears that threatened to shake his firm resolve.

 

Those … Those were the last words she ever heard him speak, the last words he cried out in the heat of the battle one cold fearful night.  As she stands there so still with so many a chill, she sobs for he is gone. Gone forevermore, never again to see the trees and the flowers, to feel the breeze and Summer showers.

 

Her face so wet and eyes swelled, she gently grasps the flag folded with care. He had fought for his country with such vigor; such passion. From his death and others, freedom would still reign true.

 

She touches his face so cold and frail, remembering the words “We shall not fail“.

They close the wooden box and set him in the ground. In him true love she had found; her husband of three years. Now she must hide her tears, face her fears alone.

 

She lays in bed, tears trickling down her cheeks as she looks at the rose so fragrant and sweet.  The one he had given her had since dried and turned brown. But when she holds it close, it warms the ache in her heart.

 

Our flag does she wave day by day, to show she does not soon forget. Every Summer day she walks to the grave where he lay and sets a rose, a rose so deep and red. Many a tear does splash on the ground. Then she says a prayer so sweet and kind, that the Father above bring peace to her mind.

 

A she walks away, she feels safe and warm, knowing that even though her love may be gone from her, He’s with the Lord. And one day she too will be with the Lord and see him so happy and bright. She can hold him, hold him oh so tight!

 

For true love can be so strong, one can’t even explain. But is showed through one’s heart, and the truth is —

True love can never be broken apart.

 

SM. — 2005