The Estate Sale

there was an estate sale
for an old couple down the street
and though we'd waved hello
we never chanced to meet

they were the kind of couple
that would be in love forever
and cherished every moment
that they spent together

and when his loving wife
passed to the other side
it wasn't but a week before
he joined his precious bride

so my wife and i
walked down our quiet street
to pay our last respects
and perhaps buy some antiques

we wandered through the sale
until we met her daughter
and we chatted for a bit
about her mother and father

she asked us if we'd wait
that she'd be right back
and when she returned
she handed us a sack

"they're mom and dad's love letters,"
"valentines and poems"
"and one of their last wishes"
was that you'd take them home"

"they wanted you to have them"
her eyes began to tear
"they said you were just like them"
"in their younger years"

we thanked her for the gift
and promised to take care
of the letters and to learn
from all the wisdom there

such a priceless gift
they turned out to be
countless are the times
that we'd sit and read

their stories of a love
that would never, ever end
and how they spent their lives
as each others' dearest friend

its been many years
since that estate sale
and we have raised a family
but are now growing frail

a loving younger couple
has moved in down the street
and if we get a chance
we probably should meet

and give them a special present
when they are over here

because they're just like we were
in our younger years

-- ecf