Words Unread

Writer’s Digest 2021 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 20

Carolyn touched the small, brown envelope adorned with a simple address in beautiful calligraphy.

Miss Maggie Esperer,

AGIS, Montevallo, Alabama

The pink, two cent stamp was faded and partially ripped. The letter had no postmark since it had never been mailed.

Carolyn’s grandmother, Livornia Esperer, wrote it to Maggie Esperer, Carolyn’s mother. As Maggie was leaving to go away to school, Livornia gave her the envelope along with a poem.

Inside the folds of paper, with its seams that are unbroken,

Are written words of wisdom, of hope that is unspoken

For when you fail and when you fall, for aren’t we all mischievous

For when you feel that life’s unfair and devils drive you devious

Look upon this missive as a seed of hope imparted

As a ray of sun to light your way in seas that are uncharted

When river despair runs through your mind and all your hope is gone

Tear open dear heart, these words of mine and you will carry on.

The envelope was still sealed. Maggie never opened it but kept it on her mantle through marriage, children, wars and death. The poem was always by its side, the two bundled in an old ribbon and placed in a beautifully carved wooden box.

Before Maggie died, she gave the box to Carolyn and told her that if she ever felt despair overwhelm her she should read the words in the letter.

Would the last days of her life be a worthy cause? Carolyn wasn’t sure. She gently placed the envelope with the poem, tied the faded ribbon and put them in the box.