A letter

Hello, Pedro, dear friend! This letter
I have to write in rhymes. It doesn't matter
We are apart and now it's dark. The dawn
Will stop my writing which was put away too long.
I couldn't keep in store load of my mind
- Events, grieves, joys - all left by me behind.
The staff we call our past overfilled my head
And it has made me to rise up from bed.
I promised to write letters long ago.
I thought it would be easy. I don't know
Now how to express with words days I had lived:
Thoughts, wills, emotions - All weight I have to lift.
It's night outside the time is after four.
Between the rooms there is a closed door
And it prevents electric light to fall
On Tonya's baby face. He's sleeping. So small,
But lovely creature. Kolya is his name.
For errors of his parents whom to blame?
I take him. It's a help to my girlfriend.
Our meetings are too short. There was no end
To sleepless nights of hers near dear child
Mild like soft wax, in illness so wild
And crazy - crying, storming, as you guess.
When baby suffers, Mom feels worse in her distress.
I can't go for a walk with Kolya outside.
We are to be indoors. She wants to hide
From former husband that we meet each other
To get financial help. Oh, poor mother!
She is herself a recent child, that girl,
An orphan, sickly looking. Like her doll
I try to bring some light in their hard life
And treat to her as if she'd been my wife.
Once separated with my own kids
In days of their childhood myself
I have become a guide of his. All needs
Are understood by me. To take care of his health,
His sound sleep, dress and undress
I should. It's clear what I mean - you guess.
Adopted parents of Tonya live in Rzhev
And when I think of her it takes my breath.
As for my mom she passed away last year
- Brave like a soldier in fight.
She died without fear.
Being cared, loved. She left me all alone
And now I keep the living of my own.
I often talked to her. Inside my mind
The voices can be heard. If I'd been blind
I would have found some internal sight
To see the world as clear as by light.
My son and daughter, both, have some jobs,
Enjoy their lives. And thus my soul absorbs
Those tiny pleasures, fine and rainy days.
Spade is my tool in summer. Hot embrace
And best regards from Russia, dear friend!
My letter's brief. I hope you'll understand
How much I'd like to tell you and relate.
Here are my friendly hugs - no date.
The cocks are heard. Goodbye! I think one day
We'll meet each other. Time, don't flow away.
P.S. How are you doing Pedro? Don't forget
Your Russian friend with whom you've never met.
                2010