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Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2001-12-27 07:05 PM

The Envelope
(a rewrite)

I found it after years,
I saw how it was stamped
with so many colors and words.

A piece of tape mends a tear,
the paper now thinning is almost transparent,
one sticker hanging on by a corner
says love.

This envelope was sent
many times across the miles
and now it is ripped and torn,
slit with a perfect pointed opener.

Return to sender,
I see in bold black letters.
No longer at this address, I read.
Once it was perfumed
with a tinge of innocent gardenia
and a SWAK in red with blotted pink lips.
Now it smells like the dust of old books
in a second hand store.

There were flower stamps
and stickers with smiley faces,
on the outside barely visible
worn by time’s ink fade I read
I love you in a child’s tortured print.

I found it pressed in a dictionary,
one of those big ones from the library
that you can’t move,
stationary with the weight of words.

Now it is fat and full,
it is so heavy with feeling that it falls
and opens on the hardwood floor of time
and all those words
just roll towards me like colored marbles.

To decorate this aging
is no longer possible, but the wind
knows, just moaning in the afternoon
changes the listener.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

1 posted 2001-12-27 07:30 PM

NOBODY else can write quite like this! Martie, this is exquisite...absolutely perfect.

LngJhnAg
Member Elite

since 1999-07-23

Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion

2 posted 2001-12-27 07:58 PM

You held me captive for the whole poem, Martie. You are a wonderful poet.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2001-12-27 09:05 PM

Now it is fat and full,
it is so heavy with feeling that it falls
and opens on the hardwood floor of time
and all those words
just roll towards me like colored marbles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Martie...incredible as always. Loved it!
~Smiles, hugs and luv, Nancy~

*~ Wishing everyone a New Year filled with Peace & Love ~*

BloomingRose
Member Elite

since 2000-08-09

Posts 3092
Florida

4 posted 2001-12-27 09:10 PM

Oh Wow! Good write.

Deb

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

5 posted 2001-12-27 09:26 PM

Martie,
I can't say it better than Balladeer, exquisite.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

6 posted 2001-12-30 07:54 AM

Gads...I remember this...and every line...touched by magic...

Kethry
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-29

Posts 9082
Victoria Australia

7 posted 2001-12-30 08:05 AM

Martie,
when you write the world stops in wonder to hear.
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown

craigrk
Member

since 2001-12-23

Posts 123

8 posted 2001-12-30 08:10 AM

Compelling story. this was a beautiful first read of the day . thanks

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