autumn’s hour
The leaves come tumbling down
drenched by cold rain,
littering streets,
floating in puddles,
still green
full of life
ripped from their branches
too soon
to age
to change
to grow into their brilliant splendor.
lonely
I am not
who you think I am
but that is my own fault
not letting you in
never allowing you to see.
On the outside
there is no weakness
on the inside
everything is broken.
I have barred myself
from life.
I chose,
one way or another,
to be alone.
I cannot take it back
I will not change,
not even for you.