A Short Story - Perchance to Dream

Dang it WillStarr. Now you made me cry and I had just done my makeup to go out. What a beautiful story and sadly beautiful families like that are left alone to grieve and try to rebuild. You wrote a lovely story.

Will, this is five star. Beautiful.

Beautiful tribute to a gone soldier. I marked you up on this one. So many people are suffering the loss of their loved ones. I know that we all hate war, and for what we don't know. You put a lot into the climatic goodby. Sad but true!

So sad... but yet so beautifully written.

WillStarr, this was a beautiful, if sad story. I'm know many feel the pain of their loss of a loved one daily. You sure did this one if fine style.

How beautiful Will. How sad and what so many families are or have gone through.

Very beautifully written...sad :( but so true for many families. Thanks so much for sharing this moving story.

Great writing Will, you had me hanging on to the sad end

Beautiful ... sad ... and unfortunately, true to life.

Stunning, WillStarr - absolutely stunning.

So beautiful and so sad.

A very sad reality. Beautifully told.

Captivating! So sad. A+ and awesome.

Oh my, this gave me chills. Absolutely heartbreaking. Your attention to detail, every loving gesture and thought of the main character is exquisite and so real that I felt like I was inside his head. Who among us hasn't felt an outpouring of love as we gazed upon a sleeping spouse or child?

And to know that there are so many military families who have experienced the ultimate sacrifice is truly haunting.

This was so too vivid and real, it gave me goosebumps and chills.

Will, you certainly have the talent to provoke extreme emotions - even in men. Voted up, up and away - and standing at attention.

Very good Will, as always i enjoyed your writing. just wish i was as good.

This unbelievable piece will stay with me forever. So sad and so moving. Up and beautiful and awesome.

Very impressive WillStarr!! Thank you for sharing!

Hi Will,

This was an amazing read from start to finish. You have such a particular style that says more by saying less. You take the reader and put - in this case - her in the shoes of your character. From the first words I felt the atmosphere, the languor and love of that man for his family. The observation of every details... I agree with Mike, 5 stars rating... I was looking for the button "amazing" but did not find it. Thank you for this, it was a wonderful read.

The ones who serve are beyond impressive, they are truly phenomenal. Bless them all.

Will, a most excellent writing honoring the fallen and the families that remain. Sad but somehow, fulfilling. Voted up, as a fine hub and thoughtful as tomorrow is 11/11/11, ten years have passed seemingly too fast for me,

Blessings,

Dusty

You did it again, Wlll, just like "Ghost" On a more prosaic note, I have always wondered if there is some world-wide consipiracy at work by utility companies to ensure all electronic appliance manufacturers include lots of warning lights on the products. Must use a fortune in wasted power...Bob

Oh No! You had me there for a while! He went to his own funeral, I can't believe it! You are so talented, I just love the gentle sway and build up with the mystery.

Beautifully, touching sad story that will haunt me for a while. Beautifully written.

I was hoping this story wasn't going to have a sad ending...now look what you gone and did! Shame!!! This is sad, and now that my youngest son is going in the Marines I'm really not liking it! But I love ya anyways. Susieq

So different from your usual Western, but very well done, and a reminder to all "Ten Years have gotten behind you, no one told you when to to run, you missed the starting gun"...something like that in a song...

May God Bless us all and all the brave ones's gone ahead of us...:O(

....always a pleasure Sir Will - you are the quintessential writer's writer here in residence at the Hub!

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Beautifully done, Will. I actually picked up on this one while Hub hopping, nearly went on past--then noticed the author's name.

"Oh,okay," I thought. "If Will wrote this, it'll be worth reading."

It was.

Voted Up and all but Funny. Though I suppose for those who think Death is real, the joke is on them.

OMG, Will, your writing ability! I started feeling tears long before the end because I somehow expected it, so at the end there was no stopping them. Thank you, sir, for so honoring our military.

A real tearjerker, beautifully written.

Thank you Will.

Ohhh…Will ; you got me, as you always do. Not only through the story but in the final moments that stir the heart, the imagination and take us there with your characters as if we were seeing, watching and feeling within them. Beautiful story and heart-rending tribute. Up, awesome, and much more.

WillStar, what a beautiful story! I love your reads.

O Wow Will. The story was just starting to really begin and then...Sir, you remind me of those great short story writers on the Alfred Hitchcock compilations. What a writing talent you are. Beautiful. Not spooky at all; but you write about the neighborhood very well.

Almost forgot...I also liked the Hamlet reference "...perchance to dream."

This really makes you think Will. Well written also, as all your short stories are. You should be somewhere writing and being published. You certainly have a talent Mr. Will. Til next time.

Great job as usual, Will.

As others have said, the 9/11 context means the ending is almost anticipated from the start. But rather than lessening the power of the resolve, understanding early on the exquisite sadness of the story, based as it is in tragic reality for so many families, makes the end, when it comes, even more powerful. Like the crescendo in a stirring piece of orchestral music. Or the mournful Last Post by a solitary bugler.

I didn't cry, but I didn't escape untouched either.

A very powerful piece, one of your best, imho.

Hi Will! that was beautifully written! u had me from the beginning to the end. i vivid description indeed. you made me sad.

Keep up the good work.

Love lots.. LET

Will I love this side of your talent. You are a very gifted writer and I have admired you from afar for such a long time. You teach me so much Will, this is an awesome hub my dear friend. I always glad to follow where you lead. x

You really do have a talent for intrigue Will. It's a sad story that affects so many families. I heard today that over six thousand US service men or women have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus many from other nations too. If only the world could find a better way to tackle these disputes. Cheers

OMG Will, this almost made me cry.. so touching. My heart feels very heavy, so maybe I'll go cry. As always, you are awesome, fabulously awesome.

Have a nice day,

Rosie

What a heart felt story. I am so sentimental...I could cry me a river. Only you.

This hub was fantastic as usual but yet different! Although I loved the way you wrote this with every feeling described, it was almost too sad. I know it will stay in my mind for a long time. Great story as always!

Tina

Oh Will, how Beautiful and Sad, and Poignant...You handled this delicate subject of death so well...for the families and loved ones left behind. Thanks for sharing such a tender one. Voted UP my Friend.

As sad as this is I found it comforting in an way. To me, there is a sense of comfort knowing that our departed loved ones are still with us and watching over us. You told this story in a beautiful and very touching way.

This poem sank so deep into my heart I can offer only one word 'Exquisite'

Tomorrow will be another night. I like this word!

I agree with your previous followers. Beautiful . . . heartfelt . . . powerful . . . Now, to dream.

Wow, so unexpected...very good.

Awww Will .... you touched a nerve. I've attended more military services than I can remember, and each time I work one, I feel so deeply privileged to help with something that's always so terribly sad.

I've been accused of showing favor to the military families, and to an extent that might be a bit true, because, they are 'my own'. However, I feel compassion and a desire to help for all families who've lost a loved one and are in my care.

But, for our veterans, young and old, currently in action and former, there is a place in my heart that only they can reach.

It is a sad, sad story, and yet .... beautiful. Thank you.

What amazes me is that how you can take 500 words and make such a masterpiece. You did so much with so few words....beautiful stuff.

You continue to show your brilliance....

I finally have gotten around to reading this. Just heart-wrenching and beautiful. Certainly worth the wait. Thank you so much for honoring our heroes.

Hey Mr Bill,

I'm speechless. Yea, hard to believe, I know. I didn't anticipate the ending. You made me cry, cowboy. *sniff*

Brilliant piece. Just brilliant.

Voted Up, U, A & B

Much love and many hugs, darlin',

Diana

dadgumit Will I already cried once tonight and here I really am bawlin' !!

but oh my what a wordsmith you are and what a wonderful teacher!

What a touching story. Your characters are so colorful and you bring each one of them to life. What a wonderful short story. :)

A lovely portrait. Thank you.

Beautiful story WillStarr. I didn't expect the ending. Made me want to cry. Voted up and awesome!! :)

too many families with a parent visiting only in spirit - thanks you for remembering.

q

Will,

This made me feel reverent and peaceful that our loved ones do watch over us. Such a touching and comforting tale that brought rears to my eyes, beautiful.

Voted UP & AB-- have a good weekend, mar.

WillStarr - this was nothing less than brilliant. This is one to be book marked. It is beautiful and beautifully written.

Will- You have SUCH talent! This was amazing. Soldiers and military have a special place in my heart - this really hit me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your beautiful words!

Hello, Will,

This short story is actually a big story and thank you very much for writing and publishing it. It is a beautiful tribute to the brave ones who make the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation of ours.

Will, you have some of the best endings in Literature my friend. As always, I never saw it coming. Always worth the read. Voted up.

@WillStarr: This was an Outer Limits episode if I ever read one, Will! There are so many stories that sadly have ended in that fashion for families in the military these days.

I hope that these stories will soon once again be only stories written by exception authors like yourself, my friend! Voted up and pushed all the buttons that apply here, Will! Regards Mike! (Aka Professor M!) ;D

This is a tribute to those men and women who have paid with their blood the 'line in the sand' that must be drawn from time to time.

We need to always remember that our freedoms which are being erased as fast as DC can make them disappear were paid by our military since before this country was a country.

Well done, Will.

q

Oh Will, you got right in there and struck the heart cords--so very touching--so meaningful--these men are missed and surely do miss. A very lovely piece!!! Dying knowing they somehow saved their loved ones--made sure they are safe and sound--that's what makes sense to all those that do fight for their countries--I can wish it never had or has to happen..

Very sad ,and wow you are indeed some writer Will.

I am so glad to be able to read your hubs,amazing without a doubt; and I am obviously not the only to think this-lol

I vote up up and away.!!

Take care Will and have a great day.

Eiddwen.

Beautiful.

Touching story. The fantasy ending was a real surprise.