i feel a
                gentle bitterness
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                when i stumble on your
                voice
                soft and shadowed
                in my head.

                a quiet regret

                like night breeze
                through a forgotten window

                you lift my several curtains
                and stir against
                my skin.

                **

                i taste the
                first
                fall
                rain.




                                  -meredyth smith