We didn’t plan this walk, It grew on its own. Past carved, faded names. You say autumn cuts deep, Stripping down the dark trees Till there's nowhere to hide. Your sleeve brushed on mine, I looked at the ground, Like feeling is poison When we've been safe so long. The playpark is dead, Swings hum in the damp. You sit on the chains, Boots dragging dry leaves. "I loved this back then." I push you real soft To feel the ghost air, Not enough to shift ground, Keeping us right here. The swings keep moving on Though no one says to go. You laugh on the wheel, Hold my wrist to stay still. I count every time I swallowed my heart. You talk like love bleeds, Screaming in the dark. But mine is a secret Dying on the breeze. Frost settled late now, Gold leaves in your hair. I wanted to whisper You're pretty like this, Without breaking our glass Or bleeding out loud, So I say, "It's cold," You say, "Yeah, it is." The swings keep moving on, Still we stay in place. If I name this ache, Will it ghost away? Some things are too fragile To risk what we built. So I fold it away, Where bad dreams can sleep, Between push and release, Between yes and no. We leave as we came, Untouched, still intact. Your hug stays on me, A quiet, sweet bruise. I watch your porch light, Walk home in the dark, Love doesn't ask for brave, Just asks to be kind. Tomorrow, just friends. Tonight, I let it bleed.
