come to me for a while today
we can imagine it is only autumn
before the weary sun reclines
into winter’s cold and brittle bed
I will wait for you where the birds
all atwitter in anticipation
hide in the musical apple tree
we can pretend, for now
there will never come a day
when we need beg for heaven’s reprieve
as we touch, moment to moment
with open eyes and fluttering fingertips
in the glowing waves of singing light
the ever-changing sky will pause above us
drape her blue silken robe
over our mortal bones, entwined
hide us, for a brief moment
from the lonesome stars
calling,
always calling,
their children home
