Do you remember airmail letters?

Fine parchment sheets in thin, blue envelopes

With red, white and blue borders?

 

They were always so special to receive

From someone dear far, far away,

Often oceans apart on another continent!

 

Telephone calls were wonderful,

A beloved voice through the hard receiver,

But hand-scripted words had a charm all their own.

 

To write a letter took intent and time, and thought.

You had something physical to hold in your hand,

Savouring the words, the effort, the tangible connection.

 

You could tuck a letter into your pocket or purse, or bosom,

To read when you wanted, to feel afresh the flush of joy,

To breathe in the scent of the beloved sender.

 

Aaah - the smell of the writer's skin infused into the paper

Where a dear hand pressed on the parchment sheet

Writing firmly, deliberately, word by word, to you.

 

Even the envelope, sent with unconsidered scent,

Through post boxes, planes, trains, trucks and delivery sacks,

Was potent as it arrived at last into your dedicated fingers.

 

Do you remember airmail?

 

 

 

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas. Dec. 2019