sepia memories

the memories of us 

are dyed 

in sepia and 

worn around the edges 

from where I clutched them 

tightly, 

wishing that they 

weren't just things of the past. 

some have creases 

where I folded them, 

trying to compress them.

some have burn marks where 

I thought I could bring myself 

to burn them away 

to meaningless ashes. 

some have warps and marks 

where my tears fell, 

escaping the eyes 

that try to blink them away. 

but I look at them now, 

and see how the vividness has 

slowly leaked away, 

the once powerful emotions 

I had 

faded away. 

the smiling faces that 

belonged to us 

are smudged, 

and I can no longer remember what 

your loving smile looks like 

no matter how hard I try. 

so here I am, 

packing away these dull, 

faded sepia 

memories, 

it's been long overdue and I 

apologize. 

I open the book, and slip them between 

the pages, 

making a fairytale story of 

us that I can 

revisit 

whenever I wish. 

and maybe one day, 

I can look upon these 

in happiness.