Fall People

Fall people are

 

The silhouette of the man

on the edge of the silhouette of the dock

holding a silhouette of a fishing pole

into a lake

full of pink and blue watercolors

that fell out of the box they were confined in

into a puddle.

 

The two people

in sweaters huddled

against each other

maybe for warmth

maybe for comfort

maybe we don't need a reason?

watching the lake

as the sun sets.

 

The bikers on the trail

how we exchange words

that unite us

despite the fact

that our strings of life

may cross just this once

we love the trails

and we love the leaves

and we love the chilly-not-quite-winter-but-blink-and-you'll-miss-this.

 

The babies in backpacks

on hiking trails

kicking their legs

a quarter as long as mine

waving their hands

the size of my palm

curls bouncing

like my baby ringlets used to.

 

They're fall people.

Posted in response to the challenge Autumn '24: Writing.

Popcorn

VT

13 years old