Before the fall

And so to soft September
           warm days and cool nights
slow wintering of the soul
           and time the custodian
of our fractured memories
           of our kisses

Here were mountains
           here was sea
a sandy beach lapped
           by white-laced waves
here we loved our life away
           to the chatter of parrots
high up in the palms
           life feeding upon life
the frigate birds
           back and forth
scouring the ocean 
           for food

And all that fades
           as footsteps fade
across Brooklyn Bridge
           one place to another
from time to time
           and love a survivor
or so we hope
           stubbornly

John Lyons