Stale Pages Poem by sheri hayes

I found a book you left behind
Not meant to be seen through my eyes
Yet, it told this story of a man
That I never got to know

I blew the dust off of its cover
Revealing your name in embroidery stitch
The pages were ruined and faded some
Like the relationship that we shared

Upon the first page was an image of me
Nestled in the arms of a handsome young man
It was you and I from a time so far-
That my heart and mind forgotten

There were letters I wrote, locks of hair,
Baby teeth and a hand print poem
So many things I sent through the years
That I thought you never received

Each page I turned was marked by you
Speckled dots of your fallen tears
A decree to the love that you had for me
Was as true as mine for you

There were letters to me, you never sent
Explaining why you never returned
Envelopes filled with money and checks
And words my ears longed to hear

I wish I knew what I know now
I would hold your hand instead of this book
I would open a new chapter of our lives
So we could start a new page

But all I have is this image of you,
Money, checks and crusted stale pages
And the thought that you did love me true
Inside this book of a man I never knew