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Letters
by
Signe Eklund Schaefer


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Hundreds of letters
in a long forgotten box
testaments of youth
and striving to become
 
Old women now
and some of us gone
beyond a letter's reach
 
What shall I do
with this treasure
these crinkling blue leaves
telling in faded ink
our dreams and sufferings
our loves and longings
this rare and precious post
from days beyond remembering


From
I Give You My Word - Women's Letters as Life Support, 1973-1987 (Green Fire Press, 2019).
Used with permission.

 

 

 

 


Signe Eklund Schaefer's articles and poems have appeared in several anthologies and journals and she is the author of four books, most recently, I Give You My Word - Women’s Letters as Life Support, 1973-1987. Signe has lived and taught in many different countries, always pondering the mysteries of human life and development. Now retired, she has rediscovered the joy of inviting poems to express daily moments and memories. Signe lives in western Massachusetts with her husband of more than 50 years.

 

 

 

 

 


Post New Comment:
MLove:
Loved this poem! And did not know it was World Letter Writing Day. Lovers of literary arts might enjoy the song "Letters" from the (not well-received) Broadway musical, The Great Comet of 1812. Check it out on You Tube - a great listen on World Letter Writing Day. Thanks Ms. Schaefer for these memories!
Posted 09/01/2019 02:30 PM
finney@charter.net:
My grandmother lived for those days letters arrived in her rural mailbox. She read and re-read them, soaking up the news and feeling so connected to the writer. How I would love to find a box of those! Thanks for the memories this poem brought back.
Posted 09/01/2019 11:39 AM
KevinArnold:
Yes, a literary form no longer practiced. Emails, messages, and tweets, though easily retrieved, don't approach their level of intimacy and depth.
Posted 09/01/2019 09:04 AM


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