There is
the sound she made,
the slightest breath,
imperceptible by most,
when opening an envelope,
caught slightly and paused with
the letter opener.
over the sound of cut paper
and the crispling of an unfolded letter
as it discloses itself.

watch her lips move
with the words, and hear the
moment she exhales
at her recitation’s end,
then returns the paper
to its folded heart.