He filled his week bag
with quick picks from the commissary
cover blades and skull cap
canned goods and half stated pearl
liquor bills and bleeders
for the flight of weary

Into the ****** bunks
of the western front
past sivana and nurture sage
past the pomp and ceremony
out of robes and into jumpers
and casings
and masks of gas

Light infantry and yelling men
muscled and scorned
fly boys high in 3 wing flight
mounted gunners filling the night
in hawkers and packards
and scabbard chape

Tarrant tabers and camels
dodge the vicker gun
skeleton hands grease the mill trap
carnage makers mark the rhineland
(buried in bunkers and pile bags and earth pack)

Trench helmets and metal back
under machine fire
minefields burn in muzzle and coil
deep in the shadows
and shrapnel and spear
the razor wire
and dead cold despair

Slouch hats and burning rats
kerosene lamps and droopers
the soldier stares down
the broken lines and limbs
a ****** holds steady
(shelved at a distance)
on ripped and rolled pipe and beam

It was an all in end game
a grapple for the ages;
*** in the fokker pursuit
over rolling hills and fallen comrades
into the bishop bullet
(and sporadic cheer)
which sealed the deal
in an empty field
off the brae corbie road

There lies a place hidden amongst tall buildings,
everyone knows about it but rarely thinks to stop by.
This is our secret place.
For a long while I've avoided it our secret place,
in fear of being upset, not wanting to be reminded of the chance we never had.
You brought me here in this our secret place,
to hide away from the rest of the world.
You wrapped your arms around me in comfort,
keeping me safe from the one causing me pain.
You looked me in the eyes and told me to have faith,
and there our lips locked...in this our secret place.
Introducing my heart to a brand new sensation,
you kissed my lips again managing to strike my soul.
I fell into you and I felt being in love for the very first time...
in this our secret place.
They say all good things come to an end,
and before we got our chance we did.
Presently I return here in hopes that I'll catch a glimpse of you,
yet only in my mind do the images of you remain.
What I wouldn't give to feel those arms wrapped around me and those eyes looking at me again,
in this...Our secret place.

©Rainah J. Tabers
8/29/11
9:00am

Here at this place where I first felt love,
I knew you were a gift sent from above.
A heart you did lend,
and mine you did mend.
Falling for you I did fear,
but you always held me so near.
I wish we were here now so I could feel your touch,
you don't even know how much.
Breathing in the scent of my hair,
as we enjoyed moonlight and the cool night air.
Please come find me again at this place,
help all this emptiness to erase.

©Rainah J. Tabers
11-6-11

One day I’ll get to look upon your beautiful face,
no longer dependent on a camera…I’ll witness your beauty with my own two eyes.
One day I’ll touch your beautiful face with my own two hands,
and I’ll look into those gorgeous blue eyes.
I’ll help you build your dreams,
together we’ll face this world.
One day I’ll wrap you in these two arms,
holding you tightly as if I’ll never let go…and I won’t let go.
One day you’ll see…I had every intention of keeping that promise,
the one made so long ago.
One night I’ll take your hands in mine…I’ll lead you outside,
and I’ll dance with you under that star-filled sky.
One night I’ll run my fingers through your hair,
holding you close as you fall asleep.
And one morning I’ll still be there beside you,
waking up to your still beautiful face.
©Rainah J. Tabers
12-23-10
12:12am