Dear John,
Why did your mother have to give you that name?
Why are you so adamant about being just John?
I could be writing to Johnny or Jonathan or even JT,
but instead I always have to write you Dear John letters.
I hope you are staying safe. I know your buddiesare watching your back, but I never liked the thoughtof you fighting in a war. (I know, it’s not really a war,but it still isn’t safe.) Your parents both send their love.
It is lonely here.That is why I write to you every day. Most of our friendswent off to college, and those that didn’t are married with kids.I could have gone to college, it was my dream,but I didn’t want to be the only girl in the freshman dormswith a wedding ring. Can you imagine the talk about that one?
“Cool it. Here comes Mrs. John Archer.”
Life at the video store isn’t any better. War moviesare off the docket, and the guys I work with won’t watch romancesor anything else I want to watch. A stream of pratfallsand lame punch lines make up my day.
Work is still better than being home.I love your parents, but they just want to talk about Jeopardyand Wheel of Fortune. It’s not like I have many optionsto go out. I’m too old to go to the parties where we met,and too young to go to the bar.Besides, George is always there.
He’s a new guy in town, and he can’t accept the factthat I am a married woman-that I love you.You are my first and only. You have my heart,nothing will change that. Still, I really wish youwere here now, holding me in your arms, telling methat you love me too.
Dear John, write back soon;I need to hear from you.
