fall disillusion
by lei
dethroned of all naiveté
stripped of warm preconceptions:
a premonition of harsh winter winds
winding their way,
weaving into me
—soft whispers of tomorrow’s gusts.
i hear their stories
watch their lives unfold
try to convince myself i’ll get there one day
but tonight,
in cold autumn waves
i realize i will wear the title of youngest
til the holes in the soles of my shoes
are no longer the negative spaces
but the overall -ness.