Poem: Autumn Walk

The crisp crunch of leaves underfoot

And my own breathing

Are the only sounds around for miles, probably

Or enough miles for me. 

If I were to scamper and scream with joy

Through the leaf carpeted lanes

Of my childhood.

No one can see me, hear me, know me

Here.

No one can touch me, want me, need me

Here.

I am six again and free of adult shackles.

I can shout and jump and laugh

And not be afraid of it, 

Afraid of pure bliss.

Only I don't do it.

I walk sedate and grown up

And take in the cooling autumn air

As I imagine a smaller, younger, happier me

Leaping along the road.

That's enough for me in the wilds of the country.

That's enough for me to remember. 

That's enough for now. 

But when I'm older - old - I might come back

To try it again.

To shriek and holler and giggle.

Perhaps my old friends will join me,

Even if they've gone.

And yes, I do think I would like to spend my last moments

Here.

Breathing in the autumn air, crunching the crisp leaves,

And living. Until the end.

©Lisamarie Lamb 2013