In Autumn

by Dale Neibaur, @1978

Autumn takes its toll;

And the leaves that budded so promisingly

At the spring sun's earliest warming rays

Drift quietly to a yellowed ground

At the first tentative touches

Of a winter's frost.

Autumn takes its toll of lovers too;

And if spring is a time for coming together

Then fall is a time for drifting apart:

        For final walks in the park

        And shared apples

And goodbye kisses.

I can still see you standing there

Your long auburn hair falling in tresses

        Framing your face

Your lips trying to smile

But your eyes asking why I had to go

And searching for a reason to believe

        I'd be back.

We shared a lot in our summertime love

And I guess I'll always remember you

And even wish, sometimes,

        That I could have it all back.

But even the best things die some time;

And now there's snow on the ground

And old men sitting on the park bench

Where I met you so long ago.

Don't cry for us, my love,

Spring will come to you again.

We always knew

There'd be an autumn.