The times, August 14, 1945, VJ Day, this was it.
heralding the end of war for our nation, just as is,
an unknown sailor with a random nurse he would miss,
good times for all once again were signaled in this kiss.

This photo has stood the test of time,
for the sentiment was so pure, without a lie,
you did not need to know the city or their roles
for this feeling has always been in your soul.

It spoke of two who had shared a moment so sweet,
much later that would mean so much to me,
my mom and dad embodied in this kiss,
whose love on earth felt just like this.

Note:  this photo is part of the public domain as it was taken by U.S. Navy photo journalist Victor Jorgensen, a federal government employee, during official duty.  It was published in the New York Times the following day, entitled Kissing the War Goodbye.  I chose this photo to hang in my office as it always reminded me of my own nurse-like mom and Navy sailor dad.

Poem by Therese Gramercy, copyright 2010, all rights reserved.