fall back

i felt the fall air todayfor the first time this year.summer set,fall tiptoed in throughthe back door,softly,almost unnoticed.she brushed past the kitchen,she strayed down the stairs,she gussied up in the mirror in the hall.she didn't knock as shepushed in sideways throughmy bedroom door,barely clearing the crack.i sighed in my sleep,briefly stirring as shekissed my foreheadand held my hand."everything is starting again,my love. everything will change.everything will grow asthe leaves drift down to sleepon loamy, grassy beds.the pieces will fall back into place,your heart will heal and mend,as the summer sun will end."i smiled at her speech,the kindness in her eyes."don't take too long, dear fall,to bring my pieces back to me.my bed is cold.i don't want to feel thewinter chillwithout his hand.""winter was lonely and long,spring was all pastels,garish and sad.summer was rash and hollow,full of reminders and regret.but i, my love, i blow theleaves about, clear the dustfrom strained and aching eyes.fall is your shelter,fall will bring you peace,fall makes it all fall back,the puzzle in your head and heartfinally solved.sleep now, dear heart,and do not dread the cold.until your heart is back in his hand,my hand won't leave your side."as i sleptshe brushed my hair,sang me mountain hymns ofsprites and kings,lionhearts and their maidens.i dreamt of my lionheart,our chilly days pastand future, falling into placein her crisp gaze.welcome fall.

via *