October Elizabeth

Autumn clocks confront evenings earlier.
Leafs turn and fall to the ground.
They drift, brilliant in color, before resting.
The earth smells damp and spiced with cinnamon.
Elizabeth sits curled in a corner of the sofa.
Arms wrap around long legs.
A wealth of laughter spills from her,
softening the living room’s atmosphere.
Crisp air polishes the moon until shining.
Frost, icing rooftops and pavement.
Apples in full blush, heavy,
with gravity’s pull from their mother branches.
Elizabeth cozy in sweaters.
Vanilla scented.
Palms shaped for giving.
Arms stretched to embrace.
Butterfly kisses. Giggling cheek to cheek.
Eyelashes bat affectionately.
Holding hands and telling secrets after dark.
My little sister is the keeper of my heart.
Blue eyes with a depth of night and an edge of stars.
She’s present in each moment, while still dreaming.
When she thinks no one is paying attention,
I watch as she tends to the mysteries of her mind.
Elizabeth is her strength.
Lilly Beth her creativity.
Libby is her heart,
and Liz her generosity.


Happy Birthday Liz!