Falling auburn leaves.

Gnarled. It skittered

in the subtle fall breeze

and it occurred to me

that it is mid-october.

I found a banyan tree

and soon all its spiders

will fall off their stems

and skulk away into

the gutters and drains

and the banyan tree will

be empty and bare until

spring comes again.

I keep a photo of you,

fifteen years and going

to keep away the pale distant dot,

the rainbow receding,

I wonder if you remember me.

I know now,

you never meant to let me go.

Dutifully, I will go

but I wonder if you forget me.

I am still here, waiting

…in the dark for you.