in this time

All day I carried you with me
nestled in the crook of an autumn leaf.
I smudged you with perfume,
Sugar and apples
If you had come before spring, you
would have stayed, you
would have had little choice.
I would have woken
to your breath on my neck.
All day I did what I always do
in my haze of semisolitude.
At night I will wash the plate, the cup,
my single serving life
wash my hands, singing,
and watch you disappear