no. 10

found in an antique shop,

she pulled from between the leaves

(it was a gilded treasure of a book)

a far greater gem

an almost translucent slip of paper

decorated with thoughtful script

she read and then held it close

as if she were the intended recipient

for she had never known a love

more powerful than

the book in which it was pressed.

(written 19 december 2017)