You kick at the leaves
fiery and brittle
they skitter scatter
away from you
as you go down the path
away from me
and for
a moment
my heart tightens as
i see
You
away from
me
and you turn and
skitter scatter
pitter patter
back to me
away from me
and back
again
and i brace myself
for a lifetime
of this
this
this must be
Love

young child walking through fall leaves