First and Last

First and Last by Michael R. Burch for Beth You are the last arcane rose of my aching, my longing, or the first yellowed leaves’ vagrant spirals of gold forming huddled bright sheaves. You are passion forsaking dark skies, as though sunsets no winds might enclose. And still in my arms you are gentle and fragrant— demesne of my vigor, spent rigor, lost power, fallen musculature of youth, leaves clinging and hanging, nameless joys of my youth to this last lingering hour. Published by Tucumcari Literary Review and Poetry Life & Times. Keywords/Tags: rose, love, ache, desire, longing, passion, autumn, leaves, leaving, clinging, hanging, sunset, lost, youth, joy, joys, yellowed, golden, first, last, final