the Kingdom of Leaves

The soil tastes of the bitterness of your innocence
when it was snatched away, this time.
Knowing that all things must die
and not knowing the Kingdom of Leaves
was waiting.

Though you played in drifts of autumn tears
and held a torch to the stars
these stones are cold to the touch,
and leave the taste of red fruit on your fingers
that are always a moment behind.

There is a moment in the sunset field
when all falls silent, before the arms of the Presence
and you can hear the world growing
into hidden dimensions, the way you never see yellow
until the fall arrives.

There are no sinners waiting for you in the flowers
only the girl with the sun in her hair,
tasting of the regret of indecision.
though your fingers are late and shaking
you heart is right on time.