A light wind blows past
the one leaf on a maple
detaches, one note, swish
to float to the ground,
landing on its crisped edges,
scratching
the air wet from rain,
my core stiffens
every year, same time
foreboding fills my chest
memories of golden
floppy ears
the bones know
winter will be here
mist blurs my vision
as my fingers grip
the door frame
I’ll see you then,
evermore.
Layered Fragments, Becoming Whole 