Old Memories

my grandfather wrote my grandmother letters
while he was in the army, training for a war he wouldn’t fight

my grandmother wrote my grandfather letters
while she stayed at home, golden ring on her fourth finger

my grandfather came home to my grandmother
declared unfit for the war he couldn’t fight

my grandmother went home to my grandfather
unknowingly, basket of shopping in her hands (surprise, dear)

both my grandmother and my grandfather kept their letters:
they are sitting in their cupboard, in a shoebox, tied tight with ribbon

they are to be burned along with them, for they contain
private memories that their brains can no longer recall

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prompt 5/30: before my time
(out of order as this one was tricky)