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old table

old table sitting across from one another words spoke what their eyes already knew and the thoughts in her mind so freely poured like cascading water in a pool of pure blue they talked and laughed about yesterday as if yesterday had a name of its own and made plans to last beyond forever yet they knew forever would soon be gone painted with entanglements and gloomy shades the old table was now tilted with a shadow of gray bearing initials carved in the wooden top to remind them of the joys of yesterday now sitting across from one another words they have spoken were already known as long lost memories too soon forgotten were here today then so quickly gone tolbert

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Rebecca Rae

Date: 7/14/2025 7:27:00 PM

Hello Wayne, Thank you for "Old Table"--I teach creative writing to inmates and depending on what we're covering that week, I seek poems (very old, new, long, short, etc.) that to give life or breath to the topic. Your poem is perfect for this Wednesday--it is poignant, sad, but peaceful. I don't see "the initials carved" as actual [name] initials but as metaphors. Am I correct? It is lovely, thanks again.

wayne tolbert
Date: 7/14/2025 9:04:00 PM

Thank you for responding, Rebecca. Yes, you are absolutely right about the 'initials carved' and as I wrote this an old Neil Diamond song played...I remembered it from years ago, it is called 'Morningside'. The song says "the words he carved became his epitath." and at that moment I felt exactly that. Thanks so much for writing, I appreciate it. Thank you for selecting this one.