One Autumn Romance

As summer withered to its end I thought of Maggie as a friend But when pale dew weighed down the grass Young Maggie bloomed from spritely lass: She burst to woman, overnight, Bright smile, all curves, a pleasant sight— We blushed and gazed through early fall, Still young enough for touch football; We ran and weaved and tumbled down To lie in leaves hued autumn brown While teammates mocked and rolled gloss eyes At love arrived in friendly guise. Then, charged with terror and romance, I took my crush to Harvest Dance; We closely swayed upon gym’s floor, Her warmth and scent impelling more: In crisp night air I clutched her hips And breathed a fog as we touched lips. For Halloween, we dressed the same, My notebook margins held her name. I lugged her books through cold to school, Entranced and feeling not the fool Until that day she softly said At heart, she felt, our love was dead. I pined for her through solstice drear And Christmastime brought little cheer. But, New Year’s Eve, I found a date Who smooched and clinched ‘til very late: That luscious fling turned winter hot, And autumn love? I plumb forgot. September 27, 2017 Autumn Romance Poetry Contest Julie Rodeheaver, Sponsor