Dear old man

It came addressed-
to the old man
who lived in the house by the park
the house with the shingle roof-
chipped paint, overgrown hedge
broken front fence
from that time, long ago

It was in a blue envelope-
postmarked from a land
across the sea
far away
he did not know the place
had never heard of it
never knew it existed

yet it did-
and here he was
with the proof in his hand
the tears welled in his eyes
he wiped them with his coat
held fast to the letter
lest it blow away in the wind

Old man it read on the first line
I hope this finds you well-
life is good
I am well
it's been a while-
so long in fact
I hope you can forgive me

he put it down-
held his breath
before he could continue
how much it hurt
when he remembered
but, it was time-
to end it

and so he read-
dear old man,
I know I badly hurt you
yet I could see, what you could not
I was never what you wanted
I caused you pain
I know that now-

I wish I could
take it back
but you and I know that cannot be
I hope one day
when time has healed
your wounds
and mine together

I will return
across the sea
to be back home beside you
I hope that you
will understand how much it hurt to leave you
and in your open arms I'll run
and stay forever with you