Autumn

I’ve always loved Autumn.

Jeans, sweaters, boots

Friday night football games

Bonfires and S’Mores

Cider and Pumpkins

Corn Mazes and Haunted Houses

And of course, the breathtaking fall foliage

It’s always Autumn when thoughts of you,

like the leaves swirling in the breeze,

flutter around me beyond my control.

Memories of our days together

span the four seasons.

But It’s always this time of year,

when I miss you the most. 

Two October nights,

bookends to our time together,

play through my mind

like pictures of an outdated filmstrip.

You and me,

just two of the many teenagers

on a crowded bus

headed to Scaremare.

You-a deaf guy,

looking for someone to talk to.

Me-a shy girl,

working on her 9th grade homework.

You ask for paper,

I oblige.

You ask my name,

and I reply.

Two hours, over a hundred miles,

and countless pages later

a friendship is forged.

You and me

Just two of the many people

in a parking lot

leaving a revival service

You-a deaf guy,

unabashedly calling my name.

Me-a shy girl,

smiling as I stop to turn

You run towards me,

I wait.

You hug me tightly,

and I’m safe.

Several goodnights, twenty-four hours,

and one phone call later,

you’re gone—forever.

Fourteen years have passed

without you in my life.

Still you live on

in the memories,

especially this time of year.

I’ve always loved Autumn.