Autumnal Fading
©October 13th, 2017
By Vijaya Sundaram
Cold air settles like a sigh
Of expectations met.
The earth swings around
Once more towards winter
And leaves begin their downward
Journey into death.
There are pumpkins, yes,
And pies and children’s pleasure in
Scary masks and horror and gore.
And cute princesses, Harry Potters,
Witches and butterflies, bats, cats,
But all I want is to be
Alone, alone, alone,
Fluttering downward, blazing gold,
Red, yellow, holding
Sunlight in my veins, while
I crunch into a million bits of dust.
Sorry I don’t meet your expectations.
Perhaps, I am not American enough.
I will be, though, for my child.
For, on that day, I shall summon
Pleasure in such things, like a witch
Summoning a spirit.
After that, when the wheel turns,
I will flutter down, or float away.
But I promise to return when the earth
Turns again.
I shall return.
I promise.
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