While earth is turning dark

Fall, leaves, fall—
not gently,
but like small flames
abandoning the branches
one by one.

The evening has begun
to darken at the edges.
Even the wind
seems to know
what we refuse to say.

Come closer.

Let the cold find us together,
your mouth near mine,
our shadows tangled
beneath the dying trees.

There are loves
that ask for spring,
for gardens,
for the soft permission of light.

Ours asks for November.

It wants the hour
when the last leaf trembles
before surrendering—
that exquisite hesitation
between holding on
and being taken.

I would rather love you there,
where everything beautiful
has learned to perish.

Your hand in mine,
while the branches grow bare.
Your breath against my throat
while the earth gathers
its fallen gold.

And if winter comes
to erase our footprints,
let it.

Let the snow cover
what the world was never meant to know.

For I have loved you
as the forest loves its leaves—
knowing they must fall,
and still making them beautiful
before they do.

Photo credits: Pinterest 

Loosely inspired by Emily Bronte’s poetic masterpiece “Fall, leaves, fall.” 🍂

Posted for Open Link Night 416 – September Live @dVerse Pub