The Hope Chest

An old hope chest,
Now covered with dust,
Laced with cob webs.
Fancy latches,
Now tainted with rust
Sits appropriately alone,
In a dark lonely corner,
The attic now its home.
Daring to open the lid,
I am carried back in time.
Back to the days of I love yous,
When he was mine.
I remove each treasure.
All his letters I read.
Then with tear filled eyes,
I see what lies beneath.
Folded delicately is the wedding gown.
Once a dazzling pure white.
The dress of my dreams now faded,
Like the promises of a future bright.
This article of celebration,
Was never worn,
This bride to be,
It never adorned.
Sadly I close the lid,
On this once " hope chest ",
Hoping tomorrow may be the day,
These memories are finally laid to rest.