I Want To Be That Child Again
who skipped down the sidewalk past porches
decorated with jack o' lanterns, black cats and witches' hats
who stuffed her pockets
with as many acorns and hickory nuts as she could carry
who searched for red and yellow and orange leaves
to bring home and press in the family encyclopedia
who floated boats made of walnut halves with toothpick sails
in the nearby pond
who gathered grass and dirt and pine needles
to craft a nourishing soup for her imaginary friends
who standing arms outstretched in the swirling leaves
knew autumn would last forever.
