Past Tense Love Poem by Barry Middleton

she was the first daffodil of spring
warming the melting snow

she was the hope and the promise
the golden green audacity of new leaf


she was the heat and passion of summer
the lazy breeze of an August mirage

she was the last night of passion
before falling leaves hinted of change


she was all the colors of the season
the burgundy and scarlet of maple

she was the closeness of the campfire
the body heat of lovers entwined


she was the pattern of the snowflake
ice crystals on the windowpane

she was the grace of the frozen lake
the comfort of the long winter night