Now that the birds are fleeing,
and the leaves falling,
and the petals scattering –
I can no longer be the girl you met in summer,
autumn is creeping over me;
shading me, sheltering me.
changing me, polishing me.
cradling me, burying me.
The summer berries’ taste is still lingering
on my lips
in my hair.
… my fingers.
But I can hear a call.
But I can hear a whisper.
But I can hear a song….
From deep in the forest.
From beyond the river.
From beyond my summer lair.
I must go,
I have to return.
I have to run and run…
Until I see it :
that glimmer in the sky
that spark in my heart
that glow in the distance.
Closer,
closer,
closer.
Here,
I can feel the wood under my hands,
I can feel the soft rug under my feet.
I can feel that gentle warmth on my skin.
Outside,
Outside the world is dying and decaying.
Inside,
Inside, our home is glowing and full of mirth.
Here and now,
Here and now, I am close to you and I am safe.
Every year,
when the leaves are aflame,
when the ground is cold,
when the birds have bid us farewell,
I take that path…
In the dark mud,
through the sleeping trees,
over the freezing river…
to the cabin.
Where the fire sputters,
Where the heart settles
Where the soul flies….
and You wait.
Layla Ali Sultan 