Letters and Numbers

APO 96225
Larry Rottmann

A boy is involved in the war, and he has experienced some rough stuff. He wants to keep his family, especially his mom, up to date on his well-being. However, the mother wants the son to tell her everything he has been through during his time in the war. The son ends up revealing the harshness of war in his letter, and in return is scolded by his father for upsetting his mother. The poem is about the delicate balance of war, as well as the balance of family. War is a frightening place, and the Son initially tries to suppress his actions. His memories are bound to haunt him, so he decides to tell his family. On the other hand, one must protect his family. Outright telling his mom that he killed a man is something most mothers don't like to hear. The son should have been more careful with how he opened up to his mother about the true danger of war. Not only did he told his gruesome news so frankly, but he previously had tried to cover it up with fake, cheery story about his time abroad. While his mother asks about what the war is like, the son says "'The sunsets here are spectacular'" (Rottmann 846). The poem reveals the importance of cautious honesty, which would've made the situation go a whole lot more smoothly.