white leaf girl

We danced the
lindy hop
and the twist
shagging on hi-lo sundown carpet
twirling under arms
holding hands
she took me to her world
her face--a thousand suns
always tan
dazzling
dancing
dancing

We went in search of Autumn's first leaves
turning
deepest reds and bronze maple
yellows like the fields
down a road of towering trees
crisp the air
light drifting to twilight
her face--animated with delight
dazzling
turning
turning

We were caught between worlds
love
and
pain
reach and retreat
afraid to hold to close that which dissolves
to dust
loves twin of loss
her face--mine
loving
loving
she was

dazzling  . . .