We shall meet near where the Clinton River reaches the Lake St. Clair.

We will meet where the Clinton River reaches the Lake St. Clair.

(April is poetry month and this is new poetry twenty-five.)

I told you when we were just babies in heart. Where the Clinton River reaches the Lake St. Clair.

When you need me, call me and I will be there for you.

On a warm Summer Day in late June 1976, we held hands and shared a hundred kisses.

You told me. You are leaving for Fort Dix, New Jersy. Becoming a soldier and

you will forget me. I told her. I will forget a lot of things dear Jenny. I will not forget you.

I will write you and I will return to you stronger and wiser. Please dear Jenny.

Please do not forget me. Jenny smiled and she told me. Life is never fair in the hope of love.

We are too young; we need more money and we are afraid to keep our promises.

Just excuses dear John. When you need me, call me and we will meet here,

where the Clinton River reaches the Lake St. Clair.

I was station in Germany and Korea, and I returned home five years later.

I loved the Army, food, housing and money. I loved Germany and Korea was okay.

Dear Jenny wrote me three years ago. Dear Johnnie, I cannot wait no-more.

I hope you are having fun and doing what you enjoy. I am fine, Hazel Park, the same.

Please when you return. Please find me and tell me a proper goodbye.

She left a phone number and kind words. Love you always dear Johnnie.

I called dear Jenny and I told her. I am in Michigan and can we meet and talk?

She told me. I am mama now. Still single and now I have good reasons to be alive and be happy.

Please meet me and Lily where the Clinton River reaches Lake St. Clair at Metro Beach at noon.

Was a beautiful late May Day and I arrived early. The sun was shining bright and was a warm day.

I went to the Clinton River, and I walked near the flowing river till she kissed the Lake St. Clair.

I did a silence prayer. Please dear Jenny, forgive me. I did not forget you.

I saw a beautiful woman and running young child. She was walking quickly and the child ran to me.

She asked me. Are you Johnnie? The Army made me gain 40 pounds of muscle and two inches in height.

Jenny stood near me and she told me. Damn Johnnie, Army life was good for you. You look strong.

I told her hello dear Jenny, and I wrapped my arms her. Kissed her hair, kissed her face and I kissed her lips.

She didn’t resist and she held on tight and she told me. Johnnie, Johnnie, I prayed for you and I hope to see you again.

She caressed my high and tight haircut and she asked me. Are you staying or are you staying in the Army forever?

I told her. My Army days had ended, and I had job offered to stay in California, Texas, and I had one person

in Michigan to see. My heart had held on to one wish. I wanted to know if a pretty Michigan gal still needed me.

She took my hands and she kissed me hard. She told me, I am a heavy load now. It is me and my baby girl Lily.

I told her. You could never be a heavy load dear Jenny. You were my sweetest days, my sweetest dreams. We

had lived and we had learned. Please dear Jenny. Can we try? She smiled and she told me. Once upon a sweet

dream we promised to remember. We promised to meet where the Clinton River reaches the Lake st. Clair and

we are here. Time goes by so quickly dear Johnnie. We must begin again. I am a mama and you were a soldier.

Can we find the beginning again? I told her. We are here now and life belong to us now. Jenny, this time I will stay

with you till you do not need me no-more. She smiled and she told him. Good, now ice cream for Lily and us.

Maybe we can go swimming, and you can tell me of your life. And I will tell you, my story. He smiled

and he told her, thank you.

Johnnie