It’s so quiet today, save a few peripheral noises <br />From the world outside. <br />Voices down the hall, indistinguishable words, <br />Clicks on keyboards, paper rustling, <br />The sound of business. <br /> <br />I stare at the objects on my desk <br />A picture of friends, <br />A postcard, a withered balloon, a map, <br />The clutter of work in process, a tangle of wires, <br />A phone that never rings. <br /> <br />I smile at the picture, and remember when… <br />So vivid the memory. <br />I can feel it, I touch the frame and run my finger <br />Across the glass, across the smiling faces <br />And feel the bitter sweetness. <br /> <br />I long to go back to that moment, to feel <br />The joy of that day. <br />To anticipate once more, the moments to follow <br />The excitement and camaraderie <br />How young we all looked. <br /> <br />I pick up the postcard, and pull it to my face <br />I inhale the smell of it, <br />I touch it against my cheek, feeling the coolness <br />And read the words, again <br />Already knowing them. <br /> <br />The sweetness of life’s memories, little reminders <br />Of times past <br />Proof of existence, I return the card to its place <br />And feel a warmth, a peace <br />Move though my soul.<br /><br />Cathy Jackson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/memories-33/
