TO ASHES

fading is the writing on the page
the paper graying with age
the age of innocence and love almost dead
but the bookmark stands at where
it all begun

the blurring inscribes where once
it was novelty, soaring cozily
memories flash back puzzles
in quest of where the story glide
flapping wings like the hummingbird

with the writing fading
each page begins to wane and mourn
with the paper's corner shriveling

and I shall not see those words again
except the ashes in the bin