Today I did something I thought I would never do in my life,

I would have denied it many times if I was asked about it.

But times have changed for me and its very unfortunate,

So I took a very slow walk to our local river and thought.

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Along with me came a wooden decorated box of memories,

it held everything that was ever precious in my entire life.

It even held a small red empty velvet box I silently kept,

I was secretly hoping you would put a wedding ring in it.

****

I took out all of your love letters and other various things,

each letter you wrote me promised me forever on its pages.

As I read them the strong rivers winds swept them away,

I didn’t catch them all but they are stored in my memory.

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I gently remove the treasured ankle bracelets you gave me,

each one I wore with a dress and one was worn for you.

You made passionate love to me hours later in small hotel,

a few tears escape my eyes as I vividly recall that evening.

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In an envelope is a stub of the first and only bus trip also,

two hundred and fifty miles feels like a million in my eyes.

But you were there at the bus terminal to greet me then,

one hug and kiss from you made all those miles worth it.

****

You gave me a  flannel shirt that you used to once wear,

but by now its looking rather worn from constant usage.

A bath in a box of dye will make it almost new once again,

ready to keep me very warm when cold weather set in.

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A locksmiths key bit is the only left in my decorated box,

even after all these years it still retains its original shine.

It used to hang on my key chain and catch on my jeans,

but lately it has made its home in a envelope in the box.

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All these items was replaced with care in my wood box,

I promised myself that I would not look at these again.

But promises were made to be broken at any given time,

there is no denying that it was time to look in my box.