autumn tones bleed
through the
drab,

rust and red
paint nature’s slab,

doom cast on breath
of summer
vows
..

mere whispers now
as window
locks,

sleep
taunts parents,

kids
fear clocks.

glad you’ve held up
dry and
well,

pleased you’re a flower
elsewhere,

we dreamed escapes
together,

though never found
the time
,

blaming less than perfect
weather
.

no, i will not miss it,
though i’ll crave replacements,

do you still study
stars

through the roof of
your rustproof
civic?

or are you racing home
to meet curfew?

are his eyes still
blue?

said i’d never
miss it

but i
do.