"I will kiss thy lips,
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
Thy lips are warm."
Darling Rose,
It's nearing the anniversary of our engagement, on that bridge. If I could, I would do it again, just to see that sweet face you made once more. Your cheeks got all red and hot. I apologise for giving you such worry, due to the tone of my last letter. My heart truly aches for you, but I feel hopeful, after a long time. Your letter woke me up, you persuaded me and my mind that there will be a time we meet once more!
How is my Baby Elizabeth, by the way, is she of good health still? Time flies, you know, I bet she's almost as tall as me already.
I went to the town of Ypres last week. We walked past a house completely destroyed by a grenade, most probably. Still, the early roses that filled the small garden in front of the house were blooming. Marvelous, some of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. Made me think, and feel. They're both a symbol of love, and of death. So serene and pure, yet often found laying on the chests of loved ones, now gone. You love roses don't you? I guess it is because you are one of their own. When I saw them, I truly wanted to smile, but couldn't. My mind was smiling, but not my face.
Things are quite rowdy here. Very loud, and smelly. I've almost gotten used to the scent...almost. I hope I'll have an opportunity to wash before we reunite, I couldn't make you to have to bare my terrible stench.
I've seen so much death, too many corpses for my age. Seen so many men die, be shot in a second, be killed like flies. None of them deserving of that. They're, we're, only the big man's toys.
I don't know how I haven't been sent to no man's land yet, I guess it's just our faith to meet once again.
I'll say it once again - I love you.
Sincerely,
'Til the roses do us part.
Percy
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Til Roses Do Us Part || ✔
Historical Fiction1914 The Great War had just begun and two British newlyweds exchange letters as the conflict escalates on the Western front; one of them on land, the other in the trenches. They share tenderness, compassion and comfort. [an epistolary novel]
