Letters Between Lovers (The Things We Leave Unsaid)

By Ashley Shaw

Danny,

It is sunny here,

But not as warm as expected.

Dusty yellow rays bounce off

The shiny red paint

On my car,

But I still shiver.

I never realized how

Cold it could be

In Florida

-Leslie

Leslie,

I, too, am cold.

But for a different reason.

I miss you.

I wish you would come home.

I can still hear your tentative footsteps

Walking through our bedroom.

It still smells like gardenia,

Even though all of the flowers

Have died.

It is brisk here.

Love,

-Danny

Danny,

Yes, I am aware of your brisk temperatures.

Like the cold tone of your letter.

I made it to the beach today

And let my toes drift lazily

Against the water's edge.

I wore my black bikini.

The one we picked out together

In one of those little stores on the

Jersey boardwalk.

I caught men staring at my

Rounded bottom.

I don't know why I'm telling you this.

I chased the seagulls

Into the foaming surf.

It's so beautiful here.

But I still long for home.

I hope you are keeping occupied.

-Leslie

Leslie,

I am keeping busy.

To distract myself from

Thoughts of your hair

And toes and skin and shoulders

And scent.

I feel your ghost in each

Breath I take, and

I keep thinking I see you

Out of the corner of my eye,

Your lips stretched into a smile.

It was so rare to see you smile

During the past few months.

I wish you were here.

Yes, I'm very busy.

-Danny

Danny,

I'm having my lawyer send up the papers.

Please sign them at your earliest convenience.

Why couldn't you just talk to me?

We could have resolved this.

I'm sorry it worked out this way.

Why didn't you just

Love me?

-Leslie

Leslie,

The papers are signed.

I'm sorry.

I wish I could have fixed this,

But I know

I could never be what you need.

I wish I could tell you

How much I love you,

How much I long for you,

How late I stay awake each night

Just thinking of your eyes,

But some things are

Better left

Unsaid.

-Danny

The poem really struck me, and I’m still trying to figure out why. I think it’s because it’s making me realize the importance of vocalizing some things. Important things. Like how much you love people, and how important they are to you. One of the interesting parts of this poem is the “what if?” factor. What if Danny had not crossed out all that was written in his first letter? What would Leslie have said then? Could all have been resolved between them? Sadness just emanates from this poem, and it makes me reflective.

Starting today it is my goal to be more open and honest with the people I deal with. In a good way. Not because I’m getting stepped all over and need to assert myself, but because there are a lot of really awesome, really special people in my life. And I want to make sure that they know that.

For example, my parents, who won’t read this blog. They are really awesome, and I love them so much. I know, that’s kind of obvious. Most people love their parents. But I love my parents a lot, even though they drive me crazy sometimes. I know that they just care about me, and want what’s best for me and my future. I appreciate all that they have done for me, like making sure I did well enough in school to make it to a good college, and then paying for me to go to said college. Also, for raising me in a religious home where I know about God and Jesus Christ and how much They love me (and yes, I know this makes me sound like one of those Jesus people, but...). So many things to be grateful for! 

Starting now, I’m letting everyone know how and why they are so amazing and why I am so glad to have them in my life. Get ready, you could be next!