The Letter

The story

This account is completely true and accurate - as far as my memory of over 25 years ago will permit. I have altered nothing for effect.

GREAT AND HONEST PEOPLE DO NOTHING

life still spins on, unaltered by ripples, TK U MLJ LV NV

I don’t understand your concern, Cleardaynow, about the boy in the end. I mean, he must be about 25 years old man by now, able to fend for himself. My daddy had me when he was 22, but he was man enough to feed me, bring me up, educate me and all that. That's what I believe your friend's son should be able to do by now. I would also like you to transmit somehow that poem by your friend's husband, however little you remember of it, so that we can form a completely unbiased opinion if we are to re-assess the situation.

Excellent and Moving - and even more so as it is true

Great build and conclusion
I don't think we need to know any more of the husband and his writings - my mind was made up by "he beat her" and "he beat her up, the mother." I loved the last 2 stanzas for different reasons - one brings home the judgement the other makes it more human. "At some small honesty" is a great comment and men are formed as boys - your concern is well founded.

An observation

"His wife and I are no longer close. At some point she took offence,
At some small honesty."

Most women say they value honesty above all else, but it's a rare woman who truly does. Most prefer a pleasant lie over an unpleasant truth.