Convalescent Hospital, France
Dolph's Letter #37

Dear Sweetheart —

How are you dear? How are things going?

Well dear it's another beautiful day, the news is good + the air corps is out.

Of course there isn't much of anything going on, but my time is occupied as it has been with talk, movies + reading.

Last night I went to services to thank God + tho there was no rabbi to conduct the service — a Capt. in the medics did + a Catholic or Protestant chaplain delivered the sermon — I was glad + happy to be there.

Afterwards I strolled around a bit with a Jewish Lt. from B'klyn + then turned in, but not before I read Stars + Stripes.

I found a little poem which I thought you might like, it being so true + am enclosing it.

So time goes on + my love for you becomes deeper, more steadfast more beautiful for truly no one has the luck which I have in having such a wonderful + beautiful wife + the good Lord looking over us.

Your devoted husband,
Dolph

[Enclosed newspaper clipping:]

My Dreams

I've put away my dreams, for now—
Each in its tiny room
Within my Heart. War cannot touch
Their youthful, fragrant bloom.

Far from the holocaust of blood
That marks each passing day,
My dreams lie, lovely and un-spoiled.
Like violets in May.

A Chopin waltz, a summer shower,
The song a brown bird sings;
A rippling brook. My dreams are spun
From just such simple things.

They're from another world—a world
Of love, and peace, and friends.
Yet I must hide them fast away
Until his madness ends.

—Cpl. William S. Hood sr.