June 1944,
The air seemed to stop moving for Marlena. The hot summer breeze that had danced in her hair and across her porcelain face had disappeared. It grew thick and unbearable. She shut her eyes trying to block his words from her mind. I’ve enlisted in the army. I’m being shipped out to France on Saturday. She felt his hand turn her head toward him, still not opening her eyes she asked why.
You’ll remember me when the west me moves
Along the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
John sighed heavily. He knew she was hurt and wanted to take the words back but couldn’t. John wanted to bring her to their special place to break the news. It was a meadow just outside of Salem. The two lovers discovered it during a bike ride the previous year. It was beautiful with tall grass, buttercups and lilacs. Her favourite, he thought. A small creek with fresh, clear water bordered along the edge of the field.
So she took her love for to gaze awhile
Among the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
When we walked in fields of gold
Despite the golden sun that beamed down on her, Marlena shivered bringing John out of his thoughts. He rolled on his side and faced his love.
“The war is ending and they need American soldiers to help liberate the camps,” he paused before whispering “It’s just something that I feel I should do.” John grabbed Marlena’s hand and pulled her closer to him. She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“Promise me that you’ll come back,” Marlena managed to choke out through her tears. John could not control his emotions as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.
Will you stay with me
Will you be my love
Among the fields barley
And you can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When he broke the kiss he leaned his forehead against hers. Taking a deep breath as he prepared himself John placed a trail of kisses down the side of Marlena’s face. Reaching her ear he whispered.
“I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you’ll marry me when I get back.” Marlena, crying, leaned back to look at John.
I’ve never made promises like these
And there have been some that I’ve broken
And I swear in the days still left
We will walk in fields of gold
We will walk in fields of gold
“Of course I’ll marry you,” she said through her tears. John suddenly got up and started running through the fields.
“Think of it Doc! I’ll be back before you know it we’ll get married and buy a house—no wait! We’ll build our house. We’ll build it right here, in this field. In our field!” He ran up to Marlena who was now standing and kissed her. As their tongues collided she moaned in pleasure. “I’ll be back before you even have the chance to miss me,” he grinned.
“I already miss you,” Marlena added tearfully. John wrapped his arms around her as she rested her head against his chest. No more words were said between the two lovers as they stood in the field that day. As he took in the scent of her hair and she memorized the feeling of his arms John and Marlena knew nothing would ever be the same after Saturday.
I’ve never made promises like these
And there have been some that I’ve broken
But I swear in the days still left
We will walk in fields of gold
We will walk in fields of gold
8 years later
June 1952
Marlena stood on the winding porch of her home looking out into the meadow that held so many memories for her. She watched as John played with their two young children. Seeing their golden blond hair glisten in the sun and hearing their laughter filled her with so much joy. Their lives certainly had been blessed.
Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of gold
See the children run as the sun goes down
As you lie in fields of gold
After the calling in the children for dinner Marlena walked down into the fields where John laid lifeless. She helped him stand and laughed at the face he made.
“They have way too much energy,” he stated.
“No, you’re just old,” she teased. As he pulled her into an embrace she sighed with contentment. John admired the way the setting sun played across her features and was caught up in her beauty.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” she replied as she softly kissed him. The tender moment was interrupted by the calls of the two children. Blissfully John and Marlena walked back to the house arm in arm. Back through the fields of gold to the beautiful home, loving family, and happy memories they had created together and would continue to create throughout the years.
You’ll remember me when the west wind moves
Along the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
The Jarlena Journal 