I had a poem

elemental in emotion

wind was anger

waters were tears

something precious was lost

like a necklace in the ocean

it was the work of time and pain

words said that couldn't be unsaid

unspoken thoughts that burned

not like embers but walls of flame

pondered but not ponderous

almost whimsical

like that remembered perfume scent

I had it in my pocket 

and I still remember

her smile

when she read it then handed it back

as though it wasn't hers and I should keep it

so I looked down as I folded the paper 

and tried to smile back

I looked later for the poem

but it had been washed

away