Amy Kite
The Abrupt End of Fall
crisp, idyllic October day,
sun-drenched red and yellow leaves,
who seemed aware of their own majesty
before the sun took its gracious bow
slipping away to make room for the moon —
I prepared eagerly for your visit,
after all these months had passed,
I raced to add curl to my hair,
brushed powder to my cheeks,
a quick spray on my wrist,
as my mind reeled to thoughts of you
removing the clothes I so carefully chose,
as soon as you walked in the door —
yet I missed the shift in your step,
the subtle shift in your mood,
a glass of whiskey could calm all,
I blindly thought
as the unpredictable night laughed —
today’s floating leaves exited my mind,
their crunch now right under your feet,
which hurry across the cold asphalt —
all devoid of afternoon’s grace,
stripped of bountiful color
before the season came to an end
