Crimson leaves falling

From deciduous trees

Twisting and turning

As they yearn

To fly free

Under golden rays

Their colors magnify

Soaring like birds

With wings so alive

Leaving their mark  

On the crisp autumn sky

They’re completely content

On their final descent

Landing on pillowy beds

They blanket the ground

Eager for sleep

Before snow touches down

With each coming season

A beginning, an end

An eternal dance

Of leaves in the wind

Feeling thankful 

But undeserving

Asking, “why me?”

While so many others 

Suffer in silence

I was spared 

Set free

How do I repay 

Such a miraculous gift

When mere words 

Cannot explain

How grateful I am 

To be here

Yet, still confused

The enigma remains

I’m just ordinary 

Without extraordinary gifts

Following my path each day

Trying to be 

Better than I was before

Hopefully, this answer 

Will find me 

Quietly, in my dreams 

In this peaceful place 

Where angels whisper

While I listen, intently

The white sands remembering

How she sat on the shore

Digging her shovel in search

Of treasure, years before

Though taller, she walks 

Along the waters edge

Still searching for something

Not knowing

That she’s finding herself

Like the sea

A beautiful vision 

She’s strong and free

But she, herself, cannot see

Her edges polished

By waves of pain

A shining sea glass

She’ll glisten again

Her siren song

Sent in the winds

Was captured by a love 

A world away

Her treasure she’ll find 

Deep within

Her sea of love 

Will rise again

Life now so sweet

Desires of yesterday

So trivial today

Life as it was

Quickly dies away

As thoughts of tomorrow

Take center stage

Plans abruptly altered

No longer time to waste

Words, left unsaid

Once, held inside

Now find their voice

With no need to hide

Life changes unexpectedly

And the future is a gift

Cherish every moment 

That comes to pass

Because, 

Only love matters

And only love will last

Silent whispers 

A secrets keep

Words buried in

A heart so deep

Long to be shared 

To be set free

But fear of rejection

Their destiny

Hours to ponder

Words locked away

Eventually will find

The light of day

When whispered 

To tainted lips

Honesty swiftly 

Becomes a lie

Betrayal, a poison

Takes to the wind

Shared to all 

By evenings end

A trust once broken

Dies on that day

Secrets of the heart

Are best unsaid

Or vowed to only

A love intended

Empty tears

I refuse to cry

As a last ditch effort 

To change your mind

If left unshed

Then you’ll stay

And life will remain 

As it was before

You, still in love

Me, free from pain

An emotional flood

Held at bay

But tears have a way

Of finding their path

When forced to face

Life plans unmade

Your decision to leave 

I don’t understand

I’m too tired to fight

This invisible dam

I’ll find the strength 

To carry me through

The tears I’ll cry

Won’t be for you