Fall '25

Shadows lengthening

Air sharpening to a crisp 

Summer slipping day by day 

Something new and familiar in its place.

Bags stuffed with papers

Early morning bus rides

Jeans and combed hair and sweaters

Scattered reflective moments.

Yellows and pinks becoming

Burgundy and pumpkin orange

Running hard against frozen ground

With mittens and beanies.

Playing guitar wrapped in a hoodie

Ordering the dress online

Quiet evenings baking

Instrumental piano melodies.

10 o'clock calculus homework

Fatigued and overwhelmed mind

Huddling with friends

Walking laps in conversation.

Basketball in the driveway

Chai tea seeped in my thermos

Watching the animals move on

Fast-applied early morning makeup.

Glasses on, reading

Steaming showers after practice

Leaves rustling gently baked in a glow

Warm from the oven chocolate chip cookies

It's the same beginning 

I'm just older now.