Watching October Exhale...(a mother's careful lament)

I was caught off-guard by a sudden flash-back of a tousled blonde head as I messaged Melissa

 (away at school now but then the one in front in pink who loved picnics!)

  with a keep-warm-and-dry-hug on this Very Dark, Rain-windy October morning 

Dazzled by frames of October

With face pressed to the air

Of fall-graces, her heart-pieces scatter

Like yellow leaves lying where

Once, without second-glances

Love-letter afternoons fell

While she laughed through summer’s slow-dances

And time was a festival

Of picnics and playthings and kisses

Its Common-ground, turquoise-gold

(At least, now, as she reminisces)

Like flowers that fell through her hold

Or hours ordained for departure

She, powerless to prevail

Presses Her face to Thought’s Artwork

And watches October exhale

© Janet Martin