i stand out in the cold
embracing the harsh winds
i close my eyes and breathe deeply
inhaling the smell of the crisp, fall air
the smell reminds me of us
how our favorite season would be so short
but we'd love every moment of it

the colors of the leaves
a cranberry red
like the sweater I wore on our first date
a burnt orange
like the flower you gave me
a golden yellow
like the ring you gave me
to show you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me
on the last day of autumn

but by the first day of fall the following year
you weren't here with me
you can never feel the cold on your face again
or see the bright colors of the trees and leaves

every time i step
the crunching of the leaves
crush beneath my boots
i tread to where you lay
i read the stone again
even though what it says is already engraved in my mind