The first falling leaf Dropped silently When neither of us were looking We were folded in Each other’s skin Aching for connection When summer’s ghost Left us a note A single auburn leaf Left on the ground Shriveled and brown With a message we’d never read I wish I had slowed it down I wish I had my mind back then I wish I treated you as a friend instead As less than a lover As we emerged Like nesting birds I could not believe The once green fields Were now concealed By a blanket of autumn leaves So our bodies moved Like puppets do And we did not know why So I hid my gaze From your face And the sorrow in your eyes That reflected mine I wish I had slowed it down I wish I had my mind back then I wish I treated you as a friend instead As less than a lover The pull was strong We were strung along I could not resist The taste of your kiss I was carried away As our bodies swayed And I