Summer Leaves Autumn
Comes
You catch me off guard
half asleep in the last rays of summer
your face shining with delight
as you empty one giant trash bag
after another onto the ground
A mountain of dried leaves
a growing stack of faded red, old browns, sun burnt golds
a pile of memories
inviting ruinous participation
We leap into the debris
disappear into childhood
our bodies shrinking to the first grade
you no longer the masked man
the ladder climbing professional
You beam with joy and exuberance
thrash wildly in the happiness
of the trees trashy accessories
pals, playful soul mates
we screech like blue jays
steal precious moments from squirrelly time
You stand atop the pile and throw off your clothes
such pale beauty
milky moon white and soft
except for the shooting star
suspended between your legs
I want your light
your proud declaration of ecstasy
I crunch closer to you
walking carefully on the old
afraid I will disturb the balance
Sirens scream
badges flash
uniforms appear
the Joy Police, waiting in the wings
“What do you two think you’re doing?
Having fun with the fall?
Cavorting with decay?
That is against the law.”
I dive into the leaves
find protection in their lifelessness
you grow up again
retrieve your wallet from your pants pocket
snap several crisp hundred dollar bills
at the Joy Police
(even standing naked in a pile of leaves
you can look intimidating)
The uniforms relax
smile at the money
thoughts of new black leather jackets.
After they’ve gone
you dress and cough
enough of this foolishness
We had touched a sweetness in the falling leaves
a forgotten time
before we knew what was expected
now we must return to our mature repose
Autumn
a quiet sighing season.
