William HAYNES Poet Free verse

FOR THE MEMORY

I loved you once
When youth was fresh
Without the rasp of smoke
In your voice

Back when time was mine
Before all of the pages
Were filled by life 
I loved you once

Now the book unfurls
Toward the epitaph
Of my hours and I
Can never return
I loved you once

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Kiki Stamatiou July 23, 2026 at 11:18 AM Such a lovely, passionate piece. Your use of language is reminiscent to the poem Anabelle Lee.

Simone Young July 22, 2026 at 2:05 PM Very moving piece. I especially reflected on this portion: "Now the book unfurls Toward the epitaph Of my hours" ...and I learnt a new word: "EPITAPH" Bravo!

Mickey Grubb April 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM Very touching...reminds me of the line by Pablo Neruda (Chilean Poet 1904-1973): "Love is so short, forgetting is so long." This is from his poem, "Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines"...your poem is melancholic yet beautifully reflective. Very well written, William. William HAYNES April 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM I thank you for your comment.