A letter came today like no other
the mailman even had tears
my dog didn't even bark not even a whimper

It was like the whole world knew
even what I choose to ignore

The envelope was wet from tears
the tape uncreased and uneven

I left it on the table for days
I dared not look at it
let alone open it

I knew it was from a friend
a dear friend
a warm friend
a nice friend

She would let me talk
I was always uplifted to just say her name
from Santa Barbara she was......

She had a fire that burned like no other
smiled like daisies in a open field

and now she was gone

I needed her too much
her warmth
her love
her California sense of life

She told me to write
let me cry
and now she was gone
like a gentle breeze leaving but memories

I needn't read the letter

I threw it in the hearth
letting it burn as did I
if only in my heart then only in my heart

Earl

Earl...


"her California sense of a life"

That's a great line.