Dreaming of Summer

Surrounded by grey skies, she exists.
The long, autumn days, her one and only love.
For an age, passions lay still, dormant.
As she dozes on a soft bed of dried, crisp leaves,
A welcome breeze blows, playing a soft tune
While the leaves dance lazily. She watches.
Bouquets of spice and slow, purposeful death
Lull her senses. Still, a part of her grieves.

Her love for fall burns low, like cinder.
It’s kind face, as familiar as her own.
It lusts over the lush curves of her body.
As its gentle breezes caress her, she sighs.
Bound by its simple embrace, she is safe.
Never knowing the cruel chill of winter
Or the sound of the bare trees mourning their losses
As the wind snaps and death approaches.

No, her briery pallet of leaves shields her.
Faithful as an old dog, tending to her.
But still, she silently weeps as she dreams.
The soft, comfortable love, no longer fulfills.

You see, not long ago, she stumbled
And fell into a vibrant summer day.
Her eyes a blur from their deep rest, she blinked.
Colors had come to life, taking her breath.
The world alight with glittering rays of sun.
The sight stole her thoughts, her words. She stood dumb,
Motionless, staring at the wonder there.
Ignoring a slight tug, she wandered deep.

Warm air wooed her with flattery and charm,
Enfolding her inside its new, strong arms.
And when the soft summer sun kissed her lips,
Her passions awoke violently, all at once.
Dreams of living in the tropical place
Enlivened her, anticipation of
Exploring and claiming it as her own
Flooded her senses with desire, lust, greed.

She begged for the caress, the fever, his breath.
But alas, it was not hers to have.
No.
For she belonged to the fall and he to another.
So now she lay upon her leaves, dreaming of summer.

-Brandy Meredith-September 6, 2014