Fall weather commence
autumns unwanted presence,
What was once a warm embrace
now altered like a cold compress
Wish it could hold on
when I say, “not yet”
but I wave summer kisses so long
the only warmth here is in my chest
The overcompensating heater
It’s not the winter I dread
but the accessory of the unwelcomed,
cold-hearted people.

Illustration by: Fatima Seehar
Copyright 2019 Valerie Sanchez