between the pages

I see beauty in the rusted
swing

hanging loosely
on one hinge. the blue
steel
of a slide

turned over.
the weeds and grass
waist high.

I see the bend in the rail
of the chain
link fence

the dirt
where the dog ran
all day

in a path. I see the girl
I love

in the window
looking out. I see the beauty
in her

pressed like a flower
in the pages
of my mind.

I still do.