Cierra Justiniano

I sit on a bench
beneath a tree
the leaves vibrant
red, yellow, orange, and green

 I sit on a bench
beneath a tree
families laugh
yell, play, and scream

I sit on a bench
dogs itching, full of fleas
shaking like branches casting shadows
dancing in the breeze

I sit on a bench
listening to birds
singing their songs
every tune without words

I sit on a bench
acorns falling on my lap
squirrels rustling in branches
preparing for a nap

I sit on a bench
wind brushing my shoulder
I feel the nights
every day, getting older

I sit on a bench
beneath a tree
leaves gone now
nothing to protect me

echoes of laughter
fade away
footsteps once vibrant
drift into gray

I sit on a bench
cold and bland
blankets of white covering
a quiet withered land

I sit on a bench
beneath a tree
only my thoughts, my memories
are a comfort to me

I sit on a bench
beneath a tree
A warm embrace
my prayers received