new leaves clung
to their branches
kissing
flirting
holding
but they fell away
(awkward) -
within arm radius of the bark,
of course,
close enough to touch
(still in his territory); but
not close enough.

wondering, wistful, whether
they were allowed
that magic
even outside
     outside their intimate bubble of secrecy,
even after
     after the spring of the sparks
of their
first kiss and
they wondered and wondered
- too long -
and now they leave.