The Letter
but first
a letter
unloaded words
handwritten on fancy paper
because it calms me down
because it helps me reflect
because it makes me smile
because it’s not 1897
but it still is 1897
it always is the
perfect day hour
minute to
handwrite
s letter
I can feel the ghost
of a corset tight-gripping
my ribs I can smell the dense
manure of my chuffing horse
as it wafts through the open window
of my thatch-roof cottage in a small
town named to a saint or maybe the forest trees
the hearth stone is warm & the brewing storm
is not in the sky but at the tip of my feather pen
heavy with inky thunder when I stop my morning chores
to send words to my dear friend in the big city as she pushes
her dreams into a man’s world…
so, yes, first
a letter
unloaded words
handwritten on fancy paper
Gertrude’s Writing Room is Open!
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VANESSA SHIELDS, writer 
I love our handwritten correspondence.
I too think of the magical days past when our uncommon practice was common. I’m also reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which is full of drippy, wordy letters!
Have a great day, friend!
Sent from my iPhone
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Oh, I love this Vanessa, so “ right on”, wonderful poetic expression! Bravo!
Sent from my iPad
>
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Oh I love this poem! I love the way it makes me feel. I LOVE handwritten letters on pretty or special paper. ♥ Love you Tracey
On Fri, Jul 9, 2021 at 9:10 AM VANESSA SHIELDS, writer wrote:
> Vanessa Shields posted: ” The Letter but firsta letterunloaded > wordshandwritten on fancy paper because it calms me downbecause it helps me > reflectbecause it makes me smilebecause it’s not 1897 but it still is > 1897it always is the perfect day hour minute to&nb” >
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