World War II Love Letter
Dear Dave,
This is in memory of an anniversary — the anniversary of October
27th, 1943, when I first heard you singing in North Africa. That song
brings memories of the happiest times I’ve ever known. Memories of a GI
show troop — curtains made from barrage balloons — spotlights made from
cocoa cans — rehearsals that ran late into the evenings — and a handsome
boy with a wonderful tenor voice. Opening night at a theatre in
Canastel — perhaps a bit too much muscatel, and someone who understood.
Exciting days playing in the beautiful and stately Municipal Opera House
in Oran — a misunderstanding — an understanding in the wings just
before opening chorus.
Drinks at ‘Coq d’or’ — dinner at the ‘Auberge’ — a ring and promise
given. The show 1st Armoured — muscatel, scotch, wine — someone who had
to be carried from the truck and put to bed in his tent. A night of
pouring rain and two very soaked GIs beneath a solitary tree on an
African plain. A borrowed French convertible — a warm sulphur spring,
the cool Mediterranean, and a picnic of ‘rations’ and hot cokes. Two
lieutenants who were smart enough to know the score, but not smart
enough to realize that we wanted to be alone. A screwball piano player —
competition — miserable days and lonely nights. The cold, windy night
we crawled through the window
of a GI theatre and fell asleep on a cot backstage, locked in each
other’s arms — the shock when we awoke and realized that miraculously we
hadn’t been discovered. A fast drive to a cliff above the sea —
pictures taken, and a stop amid the purple grapes and cool leaves of a
vineyard.
The happiness when told we were going home — and the misery when we
learned that we would not be going together. Fond goodbyes on a secluded
beach beneath the star-studded velvet of an African night, and the
tears that would not be stopped as I stood atop the sea-wall and watched
your convoy disappear over the horizon.
We vowed we’d be together again
‘back home,’ but fate knew better — you never got there. And so, Dave, I
hope that where ever you are these memories are as precious to you as
they are to me.
Goodnight, sleep well my love.
Brian Keith
THE Brian Keith?
ReplyDeleteOMG that is so happy on one hand to hear such a romantic tale bu then so sad at how the story ends!
ReplyDelete-Gregorio