Out There...

Out there where summer fell like autumn’s harvest-ready fruit

And twilight tolls, lonesome bell-tone rolling through stricken wood

Thought is a tower window overlooking year-swept plains

The air soul-sweet and heavy wrapped in purple autumn rains

Out there where we too once inhaled the scent of darling dreams

And hours were steel stumbling blocks impeding moment-streams

We leaped carefree, oblivious to chiseled undertows

Intent upon the stepping-stones strung where tomorrow glows

Out there where we marveled at seasons spilling in full bloom

We stooped to collect fragments free-falling from heaven’s loom

Then, suddenly we paused, startled by serenades of yore  

Discovery is double-edged and slices to the core

Out there where once we stumbled in love’s ever- learning shroud

When we became acquainted with the ‘nevers’ we avowed

Now a new generation disembarks on virgin fell

Out there where summer falls and calls new dreamers to its swell   

© Janet Martin