Robin Blue Note

Robin Blue Note

I received a piece of mail today
in envelope of robin blue.
The address barely readable,
the writing was quite askew.

No return address was there.
The stamp was chewed up fine
by postal workers or machines
or citizens in line.

The date was small in hazy ink
and read two thousand four.
My word, I thought, trying not to stare
why didn't it arrive before?

In thinking of that date, at once
My mind flew back to see
us standing close together then,
at Norfolk's Surf and Sea.

It's two thousand six; my fingers shake.
I turned the note once more.
I couldn't open it quite yet,
I started for the door.

I stopped and thought, why do you run?
You didn't run back then.
You listened while he said goodbye,
And felt your world begin to spin.

Tears like acid burned your eyes,
and you calmed your trembling hands
Buckle up, your stiff spine said
Pretend you're made of wooden bands.

You touched his face and kissed his cheek
and told him to send a line,
that you'd love to hear from him sometime
that would suit you, oh, just fine.

He looked confused but took the cue,
"Of course, Miss Dinah Curry
I'll look you up when I need a laugh,
Don't fret and please don't worry."

Finally with my back so straight,
my mind prepared to blank
I opened up the robin blue note
and read "I want to thank..

Thank you for the lovely time,
I hoped for so much more.
I wished you'd asked me one more time
to take you to your door.

One more sweet and gentle kiss,
one more squeeze or two,
one more chance to win your hand
perhaps to marry you.

I guess it was not meant to be,
to be sure I've sent this note.
If you asked me, I would come
If not, it's all she wrote."