LIGHTENING
"Love is overrated." She said from her side of the bed. You smiled because her words of rejection no longer bruised your ego. Maybe it had dented it the first time you told her you wanted to be her everything . She had snickered in jest and pursed her lips. And she had guffawed once, then twice and then sighed. 'What will I gain from this relationship?' She had asked. But you could not find an answer to such an easy question... if it ever had one. You had promised money, and she had refused. Attention and she had scoffed. Poems, yes, lots of poems. Your commander said you were talented and would always ask you to read to the men when festive; you would read them stanzas of home; and reassure them their women, children awaited them. And when loss weighed the spirits he would call on you. And you would bend your little piece of paper to the fire and read slowly; those words that were more than words, to you at least. But she would not have any ...