Autumn rose from languid bed, out of her naked repose

alongside my own.

Against the soft light of day the shadows lengthened

around her curves.

She turned to give a smile as her hair

fluttered in a wind that wasn’t there.

Leaning in, she whispered her discontent

with a delicate kiss, cool and crisp

meant only for me.

I saw her truly then,

a desperation sought after,

a sorrow borrowed,

a beguiling mystery to be followed

But eventually lost.

She was my season, my breath

drawn and exhaled so slowly

as to stop time in its tracks.

Yet, she fell away, eyes downcast

always knowing the direction

she would eventually go.

Don’t, I begged.

but instead live in me.

Through all the dark

and the cold to come, and scorching rays

of days

stay within,

stay within,

And come back to bed with me.

 

By Philip Wardlow 2016