**Doug is on my thoughts moreso these days as it's nearing my birthday (he always called) and during Sherry's visit she mentioned that James' first parole hearing is tentatively scheduled for 2006.

I write my mem’ries on tear-stained pages.
Sad tears never cease though the years grow long;
sometimes I need to pause as laughter thrives.
Angels flutter down,
I don’t hear a sound . . .
their presence’s profound.
They turn the pages . . .
my body ages . . .
as I write mem’ries on tear-stained pages—
eternally twenty-three . . . n'er changes.

I look through the albums of pictures kept—
somehow it seems like only yesterday—
I smile and cry, my memories renewed.
Time keeps passing.
Your mem’ries lasting
'tis quite engaging.
You dry the tears wept—
watched me as I slept—
still feeling love from those photos I kept . . .
eternally twenty-three . . . but adept

at drying tears today . . . as yesterday.