Took our last morning hike in the mountains and our last egg burrito breakfast in town at our favorite bagelry…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Dollar Hill
don’t leave me
your sunny yellows
splattered laughter
skittering, tittering
eyeing your friends
lying together in the gutter
like happy drunks at closing time
don’t leave me
a forever moment
my heart captive
in liquid amber
paperweight reminder
of all we owe
don’t leave me
aflame, hungrily
licking crisp cool air
Spanish flamenco temptress
twirling crinoline
passion’s tantric dance
you are everywhere
peeking from the glade
tucked between protector firs
on Dollar Hill
grace against my porch
bent in the circle, comforting
coneflower skeletons
spent of color
mourning the tender attention
of summer bees
don’t leave me
it is hard enough
the leafing, the leaving
in autumn
©draft, Patricia J. Franz
October 17, 2023
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 