MEMORIES LEFT IN THE WILLOW

My eyes long for nights with you, my love,
The sole memory you left behind,
Each time the chill returns, my heart still aches—
I hold tight to the memories left behind.

I linger in the dreams held by your tender gaze,
With you alone, I’ve known the glowing nights.
Stars fallen into the lake, frogs croaking softly—
I’m drawn to the lantern glowing in your eyes.

I watched the night unfold its magic,
My soul steeped in the scent of your skin.
We’d cast our dreams upon the lake,
At dawn, our bodies stirred with morning light.

The willow where we carved our names has dried,
So many nights have slipped to dawn,
The willow kept our secret embraces,
Each branch held a memory of us.

In your absence, our memories slipped away,
My heart aches for the remnants left in me.
I reached the lake—its bed dried, all mud,
I wonder if a lifetime’s long enough to reach you once more.