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Language:
English
Series:
Part 2 of Old MenBaros - Retirement, Death and Beyond
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Benbaro Week 2023
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Published:
2023-02-07
Words:
402
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
8
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31
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361

forever and devotedly yours

Summary:

One last letter.

BenBaro Week 2023, Day 2: Distance/Letters

Notes:

I'm currently reading Letters of Note, published by Shaun Usher, a collection of letters throughout time and space and it's so interesting to catch glimpses of the past that way!
One day I had an impressive amount of three (3) subsequent and connecting thoughts that went as follows: "These letters from the past sure are cool." - "My blorbos are from the past." - "Yoooo, I could write and format a letter between them just like in the book!"

And so I did. Enjoy!

(Because I'm reading the German translation of Letters of Note, this letter was in fact in German at first and only then did I translate it into English. The German version possesses a special form of poetry and vibe to me, so I couldn't just let it go to waste hence I've linked it as the source of this translation.)

(See the end of the work for other works inspired by this one.)

Work Text:

Forever and devotedly yours
Earl Barok van Zieks to his lover
1957

Through complex family tree branches, Eleanor Sholmes and her husband Patrick had inherited an old estate in the British countryside. It was by no means run-down, but no one had lived in it for years, and they decided to rent it out as a luxurious holiday home and function hall. While clearing out, they came across a box in a desk drawer containing numerous love letters dating back to the Victorian Era, including this one: the last of the collection.

Earl Barok van Zieks (*1866) was a feared prosecutor in his time, whose work put his life in continuous danger. Until now, hardly anything had been documented about his private life. He passed away in his sleep at the age of 91. Dr Albert Harebrayne, the addressee of this find, was buried next to him three years later.

 

 

My dearest Albert,

As much as I wish that the pain of my loss does not ail you, the first lines of this letter will unfortunately be a reminder of it. However, as I am no longer in a state to express myself personally to you by the time you get to read this, it will have to suffice here in writing. In the hope that you know that these words are only a fraction of what has in fact resided in my heart all these years, I allow myself to be brief. It is late and I am very tired.

Let this letter be an endless reminder to you that I love you from the very depths of my being. I dare to doubt that any word on this earth would ever be able to express how much your affection has touched me and how bottomless and complete mine is for you. However strongly you may be convinced that a poet hides within me, I am power- and speechless in the face of my feelings for you.

Albert, my dearest, the light of my life, I am deeply grateful to you for all the years you have graciously shared with me. By your side, I have lived the happiest life I could have dreamed of. Even though this parting hurts, please know that wherever I may be now, my hand reaches out to you and I hope that you feel it holding yours.

I love you.

Forever and devotedly yours,
Barok

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