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Sheltered from the chill in the warmth of family and friends my daughter joking at the number of candles “Forty” she groans and laughs and blows them out So much like her mother and now it comes back to me that fortieth birthday of my beloved as if it was yesterday I see a fleeting image of her face sweet smiling delight and dismay illuminated in the glow of flickering candles All the way home the years swirl in my memory like the leaves, rich with hues of autumnal life until I reach my silent home I exit the car into a biting wind and leaves swarming around me gusting and swooping and dancing Enraged by their taunting gaiety I search for my largest rake and slash at them with all my strength cursing and screaming I keep at it like a mad man blinded with rage and tears of longing until I am totally spent and sink to my knees and then a stillness comes and the leaves slowly drift and settle thick upon the earth in heaps of vibrant color, and begin to die |