Remembrance

I tread this path again
As I do once a year on your birthday.
I am here, but my side - It’s empty now.

I step on the dry brown leaves
Which crumple noisily under my feet.
Some escape, and the swift wind
Sieves them through the rest into Nothingness.

Those same leaves might have watched us
Taking a walk here every evening -
Slowly, silently,
Moving at a pace only Nature herself does.
You stirred up my blood as yours rushed up
Into your cheeks when you blushed.

But oh, these memories scare me.
I think I’ll run away from here!
Even then, I pause. I retrace my steps.
No, I promise you’ll see me here.
You come here too, don’t you?

I’ll tread this path again
As I do once a year on your birthday.