Music fills the air as the crowds gather in.

The streets lively with vendors selling wares.

Children run about, costumed so sweet,

Each tent you can hear bellows of Trick or Treat!

The faint smell of apples, cloves, and cinnamon,

The only trace of fall in the heat of the sun.

Selfies on the hay bales for one and all.

This is how we celebrate Florida’s Fall!

He watched her from behind….

Her curly hair tucked in a clip,

Her oversized top gently hung from her shoulders,

Her leggings showed the curve of her calves.

She wiggled her toes on the squishy mat.

Her socks softly sliding back and forth.

Gently, he walked up behind her,

Wrapping his arm across her chest,

And resting his hand on her arm.

Softly he kissed the crook of her neck,

Then rested his chin on her shoulder.

He felt any tension in her back slip away,

As she leaned into his embrace.

A smile softened her face as she turned,

Softly kissing his cheek, then turning back

Her cheek touching his slightly scruffy face.

More love filled the moment than any words could ever capture.

They were home.

Tiptoe softly into the meadow,

Enjoy the final bloom of the season

Before the autumn chill sets in and life fades away.

Find joy in the fragrance of a new bloom.

Tuck the flower in your hair and dance.

For now is the time to soak life in,

To discover the world which surrounds,

And enjoy every moment to come.

Haha! You messed it up again!

That voice, always lurking, taunted her again.

See, it was always your mistakes.

You’re the one who messes things up

For yourself, and everyone else.

She stared her dead in her brown eyes.

Redness built up, but this time, she refused.

You need to stop, nothing is messed up!

She wouldn’t give in, staring back.

Her fist clinched tight, nails digging into her skin.

She forced herself to breathe in and out.

The voice called back. Just wait! You’ll see!

She blinked and centered herself once more.

She released her fist and rubbed her palms.

No, you’ll see. You won’t win this one!

With that, she exhaled and turned.

The mirror faded away.

She moved on and left doubt behind.

At least this time.

Lying here looking at the ceiling from the left side of the bed,

I take this side because of you,

Because those first times sharing a bed,

This is how we laid next to each other.

Do you remember?

Do you still sleep on the right?

Silly how this all got set,

But I think we picked it earlier,

Laying on the sofa that night,

Before you went into service,

That’s the night it was all decided.

Even now, after all these years,

Although I am not sleeping with you,

I still sleep on the left side.

Watching a show that we know by heart,

Snuggled up in comfy clothes,

Stealing away a few moments just for us.

The house is quiet, no visitors or house guests.

Just the furballs running around.

No work or chores to distract; they can wait.

I block your view and smile innocently,

Then I step up on the couch, straddle your lap and sit.

Nothing sexual, just to be close.

I kiss your cheek as you wrap your arms around me,

Embracing me in a hug.

I rest my head aside yours,

My arms draped over your shoulders,

And there we sit, enjoying the moment.

This is my favorite way to connect.

What is yours?

Sleep well, dear heart,

And dream of wonderful tomorrows.

Flutter closed, blue eyes,

And find my brown eyes in your slumber.

Snuggle in your covers tight,

Feel my soul embrace yours in the night.