Last Greyhound Bus Ride

Back on a Greyhound Bus returning to Cincinnati.

Husband’s ship on its way to Norfolk, Virginia.

It was for routine maintenance so they said.

The Willkie soon arrived to the yards just fine 

But somebody had changed their mind.

Now it was a complete overhaul she needed. 

Ship would be in overhaul for at least a year.

Only skeleton crew was all she now needed

So hubby was sent to the USS Storms.

Later I searched to discover her new life after overhaul

Only to find out she was decommissioned in 1959 

The valiant ship had been sold for scrap in 1960.

He flew home to me on a three day weekend

To break the news his ship was soon sailing

To the Mediterranean Sea for six long months.

But he would be gone longer than that because

Time for getting there and back was not included.

I would not see him for those eight lonely months.

Five day before his scheduled sail I was on another Greyhound Bus

For me to spend a short three days in Norfolk before

I watched his ship up anchor until it was out of sight.

I hardly saw to walk away from the dock that day

Tears cascaded from my eyes blurring my sight

As I thought about all the lost moments together.

The Greyhound Bus was emptier on the way back home.

Many empty seats reminded me of the emptiness in my heart

That would remain a cold, aching void while he was gone.

Our anniversary that should have been filled with joy

Saw him somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean

And me alone, depressed and hating the U.S. Navy.

Though the letters were daily, thick and filled with love

They could not fill the cold, empty void in my heart.

Would the months never end until he was with me again?

The day of his return finally arrived but I did not greet him

Fate had decided to extend the separation a little longer

An injury by a car as I was walking denied us being together.

I impatiently awaited discharge by my doctor so I could go

On another Greyhound Bus ride to Virginia and rejoin my love.

Only this time it was to Portsmouth, VA instead that I went.

I am very happy to say not another Greyhound Bus did I ride.

Most of my future travels were not alone or on a bus.

My love and I would enjoy other modes of travel together.