The Way Things Used to Be: Autumn as Children

The decaying leaves covered the sleeping grass, 
and crunched as we ran around the yard, 
our coats swishing about us. 

We ran, ran, ran
until our hair came undone and our 
cheeks were red. Our world didn't know 
sadness nor did we realize what adulthood 
would truly be like. 

The beauty we knew of was of flower petals
and the softness of a kitten's fur.
We knew nothing of being thin or
of "ideal beauty." We were what
we wanted to be. 

Often I was a princess, traveling across the
seven seas in search of my daring prince. 
My brothr was a knight, sworn to protect me,
his sword never unpolished. My elder sister,
the Queen, was often a guide. 

The backyard was our world, 
tall weeds made our jungles and 
the wash house roof was our mountain. 
The swings were our magic carpets and 
portals to other worlds. The shed was forever, 
our hide out. 

Never ever did we think that we'd grow up,
we'd never leave Peter behind, 
and we'd certainly never forget the adventures.

We'd never forget Autumn.