Falling as Fast as Laughter

Autumn, and the leaves fall as fast as your laughter.
As I wander, lost amongst such glory, I cannot help
But remember that time

The golden leaves a bower for our play, a play
As fast and unpredictable as the seasons themselves.
Your hand was an anchor to happiness itself. Brother

I feel it was never the same after you left. I sought to
Recapture our daily triumphs. Without you they were
A bitter mockery of childhood.

You were my protector, and my passage to freedom.
It was you who convinced them to let me stay out that
little bit longer. You who constantly reminded them

that I can cope. Mostly. Were you even here? Sometimes
it seems I imagined you, as I dreamt of the invisible friends
around me. I played with them and with you every summer

and played alone when you left every autumn.