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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brittle with age, the British aerogram’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Corner crumbles in my hand.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One of many lovingly saved <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In a granddaughter’s once-pink hair ribbon<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For more than six decades, it is<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in'>A bittersweet attempt to bear witness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And turn thin sheets of paper<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Into crinkled forget-me-nots.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a child, I believed<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>aerograms were blue to match <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the ocean they traversed<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From an elderly lady in Leicestershire<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To a schoolgirl in Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I know the spidery handwriting <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Relates only family news<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And inquires about my school days,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brownie troop, and beloved dogs. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Missives of love from one brittle with age,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Of no interest to intrusive eyes after my death,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The aerograms and bond they forged<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Can remain tucked away for now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The ink has no doubt faded over time,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>but the memories In the heart of the granddaughter,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Herself now brittle with age,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Remain fresh with just a hint of ocean breeze.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>