Everything is barren now. The leaves have fallen and the bugs have all Retreated into the warm houses. I saw one in my shower this morning And as I turned on the faucet, it flew To the next wall. I worried that The water bouncing off my body Might drown it or make its wings too wet to survive the winter But I did nothing to move it.
I understand that the only reason You don’t like riding home from school with me anymore Is because you can’t smoke cigarettes in my car. But now I have to drive by the twin oaks alone— Those twin oaks where I sat with a girl I was sure I would soon come to love. Staring up at the leaves with her, I’d thought maybe That girl and I were just like the oaks: Two separate bodies joined at one point.
Now the way snow hangs makes it clear. Those canopies could only spread and grow Once the oaks had parted, leaning in opposite directions. You used to distract me as we drove by, Keeping my mind from the haunting reminder Of the future that failed to pass. Without you with me there, I’m left to question What I’ll see when this pristine white landscape Finally melts.
That bug on the sterile white porcelain Seemed to scream this morning as I idly hummed a tune Written by some friends who moved to Athens. It screamed with the smog of unsmoked cigarettes And leaves that can never be unfallen. My humming Was screaming too.