The Lonely Man Who Sat Alone

The Lonely Man Who Sat Alone

There was a man who’d sit alone on the beach
No one approached him, for he was out of reach
Many tried to befriend him, he’d sit there alone
It seemed the beach was his, a place he called home

If asked about his past, he’d say “I’m a Veteran.”
No elaboration, he never let strangers in
His world was one that few could comprehend
His memories were treasured, not shared, too many lost men

He sat alone, his mind drifting, yet often out of breath
Memories of battles, lives saved, and yes, he knew death
None tried to enter his private world, except one
A woman who loved him, before his world became undone

Julie was her name, to her this was no game, t’was life
Long ago they had plans to wed, she would be his wife
He lived in a hellish world, full of demons from his past
She loved him all the same, knowing this would not last

One day he looked at her, saw the girl he loved so much
Marveled at their love, that they had never lost touch
He looked in her eyes, surprised to see hers brimming with tears
Whispered, “I know you’ve loved me all these many years.”

From that day on, no one saw them together,
A storm had passed, so had they, like the weather
No one knew where they had gone or how they had left
When thinking of them, their minds were simply bereft

If asked about the couple, no one had an answer
No one remembered him being a romancer,
None witnessed their love, them meeting on the coast
It’s no wonder, for who has seen a pair of ghosts?

Jim Dorrell
3/1/23

292 words, 28 Lines