Letter from the Sea

By DragonRiderofPern

To My Dearest,

I regret to say that I will not be coming home

For this day I have slipped away and passed through Heaven's gate

I wish that I could have held on, but my wounds were all to great

I tried to make my breath last longer so I could hold you one more time

Upon this news do not cry, please my Darling do not weep

For although I will miss you too my home is now at the bottom of the sea

I cannot think of a better grave, none other is suited to me

For the sea is where I have lived the greatest moments of my life

The first was when I was a boy and my father took me sailing

The ship was small and the ocean large but we sailed none the less

The winds picked up and the waves tossed but we still made progress

Making a turn we turned too sharp and nearly sank our boat

We kept on sailing, our boat still afloat

But at that moment I learned something about the sea which few people know

Although the sea is vast and rough and her winds always blow

These are blessings in disguise that help us all to grow

The winds may beat us down yet they power what we use to move around

The waves may be forceful but as they lap against the sand

They create a soothing melody which is meant to put at peace every man

Beneath these waves there is life, coral reefs and fish that live without light

All in all the sea is a miracle, a blessing in disguise

But is only reveals its blessings to those with adventurous minds

Like God it does not serve you on your whim

You must be patient for the sunshine to come again

The second moment was when I met you

Do you remember? We were also on the ocean blue

That day was calm and serene, simply perfect for a cruise

You were there with your book, peacefully reading while I was simply staring

You giggled when I said some stupid things yet you still let me stick around

During those laps around deck five I have never felt more nervous

Your eyes so vibrant and full of life, you know you did me a great service

For during that walk I discovered what it meant to be in love

You were all that my eyes could see and everything my heart could love

By looking into your eyes I could see your heart, full of happiness and life

Your hands so gentle, I wanted to adorn them with the ring of my future wife

On that deck I could hear the waves and they seemed to whisper your name

The third was more recently, while I was serving in Hawaii

Last week I looked out from the Arizona's large deck thinking about you and I

I was feeling rather worried about what the future would hold for us two

With the wedding approaching fast approaching I was far from home

I wondered if you would wait, when I would tell you I would have no leave

And that our carefully planned wedding would not be able to proceed

I would be serving for another year it didn't matter what I would plead

A year across the globe, sailing on the seas

The ocean brought me despair for it tore me away from you

But despite my anger the ocean said to me,

Although it might carry me far away it also would bring me back to thee

All I had to do was trust that with each and every wave, we would become closer together

I have thought about my happenings, with the sea and all it's wonder

The first on that sail boat I was taught how to live

To really live life you must go out on a limb

You must be willing to jump into that cold ocean and take a swim

For if you always sit on the beach you will never find

All of the extraordinary gifts that God provides

So my Love you must remember that life has it's tides

Some days the gifts are plentiful and the water stays far below

But when the water rises there is something you should know

Don't be afraid to jump in and enjoy the salty water

Just keep on swimming though your legs and arms might tire

For God gives us blessings even when things seem dire

For while you are swimming you might meet a dolphin or two

Who is willing to carry you home and thrill you with a ride

Although I am not encouraging you to really jump into the tides

I mean you should live your life to the fullest, I know you can my brave girl

The next lesson is short and sweet but it really touches hearts

When I met you I found love and I know you did too

But now that I am gone I want you to find someone new

Everyone needs love I my Darling don't let me deprive you

I know your heart will be broken, healing is never fast

But keep your eye open for someday it may come to pass

That another man will come along and clear your fathers challenging test

If he can meet you fathers standards I'm sure he will meet mine

Keep your heart open but never forget me for I will always love you so

And herein lies the third lesson I think you should know

Like the ocean has taken me from you, others will be taken too

It is inevitable so remember that we only have one life, make yours matter

I regret you will not receive this, for it is not written on paper

These are but the words of my heart which cannot be sent by US postal mail

I cannot touch the soil of the earth, now on heaven's clouds I sail

So I bid you adieu my Darling, farewell and good bye

The next time I will see you is when you join me in the sky

Love,

Your Loving Soldier