WITH trembling hands she held the card,

The years simply fell away.

In her mind once more a mere slip of a girl,

Remembering St Valentine's Day.

Then there was laughter, freedom and love,

So many things to do.

Now only loneliness and aching limbs,

With age forever clouding her view.

Slowly, she swayed in her rocking chair,

As a hint of a smile lit her face.

The unsigned card spelt out volumes,

With its special loving verse.

Gently she once again closed the card

And re-placed it in the drawer.

There it would stay, hidden deep away

Until Valentine's Day once more.

He'd never admitted sending it

Throughout all their long married life.

She hadn't the heart to tell him

On the envelope he'd put 'To my wife'.

Submitted by

Marcia Wigham,

Little Terrington.

Updated: 11:36 Wednesday, February 12, 2003