这诗的作者是一位普通的美国妇女，她丈夫在女儿四岁的时候被派往越南。战争结束后，被无情地告知丈夫在战争中不幸身亡。她终身守寡，直至年老病逝，女儿在整理母亲遗物的时候，发现了当年写给父亲的没有寄出情书。
But You Didn't
但是你没有
Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car
and dented it?
记得那天，我借用你的新车，而且还撞凹了它。
I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't。
我以为你一定会对我大发脾气的，但是你没有。
And remember the time I dragged you to the beach,
and you said it would rain, and it did?
记得那天，我拉着你去海滩，你警告我会下雨的，
结果那天真下雨了。
I thought you'd say, "I told you so."
But you didn't。
我以为你一定会说：“看吧，我警告过你的。”
但是你没有。
Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys
to make you jealous, and you were?
记得那天，我和很多男人调情好让你嫉妒，
而且我得逞了。
I thought you'd leave, but you didn't。
我以为你会离开我，但是你没有。
Do you remember the time
I spilled strawberry pie all over your car rug?
记得那天，我把很多草莓派洒在了你的车里。
I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't。
我以为你一定会厌恶我的，但是你没有。
And remember the time I forgot to tell you the
dance was formal and you showed up in jeans?
记得那天，我忘了告诉你那场舞会要穿晚礼服，
结果你穿了牛仔裤过去。
I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't。
我以为这次你一定是要抛弃我了，但是你没有。
Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do。
But you put up with me, and loved me,
and protected me。
是啊，你有很多事情都没有做啊，
你包容我，爱我，保护我。
There were lots of things I wanted to make up to
you when you returned from Vietnam。
有很多事情是我想要弥补和回报你的，
等你从越南回来的时候，
But you didn't…
但是你没有…
