The Last Dance by Keri

		Author Name: alwayskeri	4 Comments
		Date Added: March 04, 2004 18:03:34	Average Score: (Needs 2)
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Category: Dedications

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The Last Dance

His bags are packed and he was unhappy to go,
If he’d ever make it back…he just didn’t know.
So he danced with his love, holding her close to his heart,
Imagining how lonely he’d be while they were apart.
She smoothed a wrinkle on his Navy blues,
Knowing just how much she’d lose,
If he did not come home to her
When the war was over.
The call to board ship blares
Through the morning air.
He kisses her softly and steps away,
A smile on his face and ‘I love you’ to say.
He boards the ship and disappears from sight,
Then reappears to wave at her in the morning light.

One day while out at sea, a jet was coming home,
One engine dead, leaking fuel, and the reo gone.
He had to make it in, he had to land it true,
But with a gunshot wound and losing air, not much could he do.
He sees the deck, swallows his pain and takes a deep breath,
He feels like he’s flying a brick to his death.
The air boss tries to assure him that he is alright,
And guides him to land it safely in the night.
The medics pull them from the jet as fast as they can,
The pilot’s still alive, but it’s too late for the wingman.
The world begins to fade to black, his consciousness fades away,
His dreams carry him back to that early June day
When he shared his last dance with his girl,
And suddenly, nothing else mattered in the world.

He’s alive, just barely, but there’s nothing the doctors can do.
They just weren’t sure that he’d pull through.
He’s beginning to get weaker, he knows this is the end,
So he decides that there’s a final letter he will send.
He pours out his heart and sends his love to her
In this soldier’s final good-bye letter.
With the last words he writes, the life fades from his eyes,
He smiles at the doctors as they come to his side.
He hands one the letter and silently passes on,
His love not yet knowing that he is gone.

Back home in the states, a girl picks up a letter,
From the US Navy, it’s for her…
A death notice! No, he can’t be gone!
He was supposed to be coming home!
Another letter is attached, it’s from him,
Her world shatters and dims.
She opens the note and slowly reads
Words that drove her to her knees.

Dearest Ellen, the keeper of my heart,
Each day we’re not together tears me apart,
And those days now will be so long,
Because, my beloved, I’m not coming home.
We flew out yesterday to bomb the enemy,
But their jets were waiting for us, you see.
My reo was killed and I was shot,
I didn’t know if I’d make it back or not.
One engine dead and leaking fuel fast,
It seemed as if every second should have been my last.
The air boss helped me land that night,
And I was too numb to feel the fright.
There’s nothing they can do for me,
It’s over and they’ve let me be.
I wanted you to know so you’d never have to ask,
And you won’t spend years wearing a mask.
I’m sorry I have to leave you,
But you’ll make it through.
I just can’t hold on anymore,
And it won’t be long ‘til we meet on heaven’s shore.
Don’t wait for me, you deserve another chance,
And you’ll always have the memory of our last dance.
I’ll love you forever, and I know you’ll love me too,
But there’s someone else out there for you.
I love you, Ellen, but now I have to go,
I’ll wait for you, Love, Joe.
**********************************************
Her life has gone by in a daze,
She’s living in a writhing haze.
Then one day, at her door,
A soldier stands, they’ve just reached shore.
He’s Joe’s best friend, and home to stay.
Now he comes to see her each day.
She already depends on him a lot,
But neither had forgot
Their loss and pain,
Driving them insane.

Now something could be growing,
The signs have already started showing.
They confess it must be love,
The very thing they were frightened of.
But they conquer all, he holds her hand,
Together, they make all the plans.
Their wedding is simple and quiet,
It seems like they’re gonna make it.
Neither will forget their loss,
Their union came at such a cost.
But, both of them knowing Joe,
This was the way things should go.

She managed to move on and took another chance,
But she never forgot her first love and last dance.

-Keri

*Written between 4-15-03 and 4-16-03.

Author's Notes:

This, of course, is fictional. Inspired after watching some particularly depressing war movies. i.e Pearl Harbor and Saving Private Ryan. This is two parts....thus symbolized by the poem break with the astericks. Hope you enjoy! They're not my best.

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Comments:

	Comment By: Kris Eller on March 5, 2004 08:59:58 PM	Report
	Oh gosh why does your poems have to make me cry,this is a wonderful poem,you should be very proud of your talent. Respond To This Comment

	Comment By: Timespell on March 5, 2004 01:10:17 PM	Report
	This is a great tale Keri!! Probably happened lots of times in the wars...With the touch of love they were only meant to be friends!!..Such is fate Great write. :O) ~Timespell~ Respond To This Comment

	Comment By: Mark B. on March 4, 2004 07:30:57 PM	Report
	Great write Keri! I liked both parts. Your inspiration came from some good war movies.:) Mark Respond To This Comment

	Comment By: Leonard Wilson on March 4, 2004 07:28:45 PM	Report
	This is the site I was talking about.I answered my own question.My!!Writing really runs in the family this story is Top notch!!...len Respond To This Comment