between the pages

Between
the pages
of an old book,
I find a photo
with a note
on the back.
The picture
is of you,
sent to me.
You are standing
next to a lake
in a blue dress.
you are slender
and your hair
is long.
You are smiling
and the sun
is almost down
behind you.
I'm not there.
and I don't know
who has taken
the picture.
The words
on the back
are kind, sweet,
full of the youthful
promises
that new
lovers give.
You write
how much you
miss me and how
we would never be
apart again. Ever.
You underline
I love you.
I slide the photo
back into the book,
between the pages,
and quietly place it
on the shelf
where I found it.
Then I return
to the dark
bedroom
where you've
been asleep
for hours.