She Had Escaped in Blossoms

She Had Escaped in Blossoms

She had escaped in blossoms, and her song
dried up like autumn leaves that blow away.
On the clay meadow’s edge, where colors sway
like waving ocean fields, I walked along
and scanned the painted bulbs, their colored throng
an empty sea which hid her from the day.
But in the drifting waves and my dismay,
I found a trail where petals should belong.

Then close, but far, I stood and saw her fall.
Behind brambles that kept my touch aside.
I wished with heartbeat’s pang to simply call
her name, Lori, and ask why she left me
behind to wander dream’s blush countryside
alone...but would she turn to hear my plea?

- Christopher Harris