save us
from the bitterness
comes as winter snow
pressed against the windowpanes
when nights are long
and cold

when holding back
means holding on
they warned us not to chance
would never be the same again
these lives of circumstance

the tell-tale sign
of autumn leaves
september claims the skies
a half an ounce of lonely
will drown you every time

when taking back
that goodbye kiss
there never should have been
distance passed
without a word
this silence to defend

silver threads
and thirteen moons
a key without a mate
held as truth a little while
these souvenirs of fate

you faced
the noonday sun
with wonder why you came
I was laughing
as the clouds rolled in –
and praying it would rain

when a moment stilled
eternity –
with memory of the fall
you were watching me
as I reached for you –
when nothing moved
at all

no mistaking of the promise
though left to wonder
when would be –
a goodbye kiss
for taking back
a date with destiny