WW1.

In this session, we wrote letters or poems about WW1. My aim is to write something that someone can relate to.

Dear Johnny,

To say that I miss you sounds obvious. If I’m brutally honest, I crave your presence. I miss hearing your laugh and feeling your warm hug in the morning… Every night I go to sleep with tears in my eyes, thinking about the possibility of never hearing your voice again. Please come home to me Johnny. The other morning I walked up to the bakery and Gary asked me when you would be returning home and I had to walk away immediately because I couldn’t let him see me crying…crying over the reality of not knowing when or if you will ever return to me Johnny.

On Monday I went to visit Grandma and little Victor, Grandma told me that you’ll be alright and be coming back home real soon. I wanted so badly to believe her Johnny but I know you can’t make me any promises. Its been 10 days since your last letter, you said you were okay but I haven’t heard anything from you since and I’m getting worried Johnny… I didn’t want to be the one to tell you but, your Ma has gotten sick, she can’t take you being gone, the constant fear of getting a letter in the mail telling us you have left this world is a fear for all of us. I know you’re being so brave out there, fighting for our country but Johnny, I worry about you being in France. I hope you’re keeping yourself warm, have you made any friends?

Please write back and let us know you’re doing okay Johnny… I would die if something happened to you. Sandy from next door got the news that Robert died in battle only a few days ago, it made me so scared Johnny because that could of been you. Please God let it never be you.

I miss the softness of your kiss, the roughness of your hands as they stroked over my cheek, the messiness of your hair when waking up in the morning. I still hear the echo of your voice shouting my name across the room to get my attention. Knowing that you’re alone in this war, despite being surrounded by others, aches my heart. I pray for you my love, I pray for your safety and your sanity. I haven’t slept in our bed since you left 15 days and 8 hours ago. The emptiness of your side keeps me up at night nearly as much as knowing I could receive a letter any day telling me you’ve left this world and won’t be coming back, any God damned day.

Please write back and let me know you if you are doing alright, I miss and love you my Johnny.

Love from your one and only,

Cassandra…

Evaluation:

Writing this piece was tricky as I had to imagine how it would of felt to be a woman losing her partner to go off to war, as I don’t have this personal experience, imagining what she would say or how her words would come across was difficult for me. It also allowed me to expand my writing experience as I have never written about such a topic.