October Girl Poem by John Powers

The sidewalks are wet
and the sky is grey
wind wrapping round you
as the smell of dead leaves
with a hint of ozone
fills your lungs to take you away
away
the air is chilled
and filled with flecks of rain
beautiful rain with new life
reinvigorate what the
witch of summer stole away
away
no more sweat, no more fears
only the breath of reaper season to hear
and we're thankful
oh yes we are thankful to see that
last leaf curl and fall away
away
and all the people in comfortable clothes
can walk about freely with no sun to blind
their paths, walk more assuredly, into the wind
and the sandled naked toes
of schoolgirls retreat to hide away
away
and the nights are dark and cold
as the lights reflect off wet sidewalks
this is the wide open night, wide open season
safe enough to walk barefoot on the hard, sure ground
if you dare and care to throw those shoes away
away
just for a little while.
and brave the chill wind to explore the
whole new world uncovered and covered
by the colored once-were live leaves
on the path from your home, you can't run
away
from the barefoot girl standing on the
wet sidewalk under the grey skies
buffeted by winds with a tear in her eye
holding herself tight for company and warmth
defiant until the last leaf does fall
but never goes away.