Handkerchief

Red-bordered handkerchief,
crumpled and worn;
fibers that crunch
as I peel back the folds.

The lavender scent
a more recent guest.
What did it smell of
when your sneeze it suppressed.

Was it carried to work
with crisp ironed folds;
Held in the pocket
of jeans that you wore?

And did tears ever fall
on this fabric before?
A tribute to love
for life's beauty you saw.