Ode to the Common Stamp

It’s just a small piece of paper,
Clean, worn, crumpled, or stained,
But the joy that the sight of it give me
Has never, no never, been named.

As I look at it I wonder
Of the strange sights which it has seen.
And I cannot help but want to know
On whose letter it has been.

Perhaps it’s helped join two lovers,
But of that who could be sure?
Is it not just as likely
That it was written from boor to boor?

Is it a man or a lady that put it
With hands either firm or fine
On this old well-kept envelope
The color of Burgandy wine?

I can never know, but what difference
The stamp is, of course, the main thing,
It’s just a small piece of paper
But joy upon joy it does bring.

- Anonymous