everyone’s starting to bundle 

their bodies 

& partners

& selves,

cuffing turtlenecks 

& knitting hands 

for a warmth

that goes beyond their

fingertips, 

instead 

bottling it for winter’s 

solitude 

.

not really bustling,

gentler

in their steps 

tap tap on hollow boardwalk

& softer 

in their voices

. 

some sort of harmonious 

mourning 

of summer skins,

freckles fading 

& color dimming down 

(10/27/24)