Late Autumn

Come with me, I said
Come watch the leaves turn
Like fire catching
Bursting into colored flames of russet and amber, oxblood and saffron
The air crisp, full of spice and smoke

I clasped your hand and we wandered
For this was our time, late autumn afternoon
And I was thinking only of kissing you
Or the feel of my fingers in your chestnut hair
We walked in silence, breath a pale mist

But we were too late, winter already creeping in
The landscape sodden with muddy water
Fiery trees extinguished by damp and dulled colors
Ground matted down with crushed, browning petals
Scattered with dormant seeds, never opened,
Giving up too soon under the overcast sky
I stood gazing into a leaf choked pool at our refection
Feeling your hand slipping away from mine


5/2011