Late summer air turning chilly and crisp stirs up more than fallen leaves

Slow turning leaves remind me of you standing on my porch

Suitcases in hand after hours of traveling cross country

Standing on my porch after years of not seeing each other

Western sun beams look good on you nowadays

But the east coast breeze fits your cool, relaxed demeanor

For days we head back and forth to the beach just to smell the air

And get lost in the hypnotic rolling of the waves

I gave you my flannel earlier

It feels natural seeing it on your shoulders against the autumn trees

Eyes betraying the miles that have worn you down recently

Harmony of migrating birds lull the worries swimming through your mind

Stars are out tonight, and the telescope is occupied by family

It feels right to venture into the colorful trees with you

Sharing stories and legends of the speckled gods embroidered in the sky

One god shoots across the darkness like a flash of lightning

And your hand tightens around my arm with the excitement of a child

To accompany your playful smile, you ask me what I wished for