The Winter Dogwood

For Katie - By Andrew

When the leaves were golden and with my collar pulled in close,
I could have walked from Ramblin Rose to Farlight in seven minutes.
I could have knocked on the door at 3831
And waited for the porch light to come on.
And her smile would have warmed me,
Inviting me in with and innocent gesture
Touching my arm with her hand.

Our Gloves would brush over each other
As our wings fluttered in the snow.
She'd catch snowflakes,
Some on her cheeks and some on her tongue.
Some melting into tears, others into laughter.

Tender little starts who had taken courage
Would have seen her as she walked
From Farlight to 12400 Ramblin Rose
Drawn to her warmth.
Moments later our shadows would have passed together.
And brightened the new shoots into a familiar shade of green
As our hands swung between us in a loose embrace.
The blossoms on our dogwood tree would have bluched
If they could ahve seen the dimples of her smile.

But now the chill bends,
As it slips beneath my collar.
And an empty cloud lingers
As the moisture clings to the last bit of warmth,
Before dying.
Silence echoes through empty boxes
And empty rooms on farlight.
Now that she is gone.
I would like to start over again last autumn
And tell her we belong together.