In celebration of the changing season, I decided to write an entry for the 2020 Fall Writing Frenzy hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis. Thanks to the entire Children’s Literature Community for your encouragement and support.
Autumn
by Bonnie Kelso
The path to Preston’s art studio
is a narrow ribbon of dirt weaving between
blackberry bushes and pine trees.
Wide-eyed cats stare
as curious neighborhood dogs
push wet noses into my empty hands.
Finally,
the crooked house by the creek.
I walk inside,
welcomed by the scent
of sawdust and paint.
On the pegboard hangs folded art paper,
printed leaves,
familiar,
but at the same time,
different.
In the corner is her name,
not mine.
Autumn
All these weeks,
I thought I was the only student.
I never realized how special it felt to be here,
until now.
Have I been replaced?
Who is Autumn?
Is she clever?
Pretty as a scarlet maple leaf?
I feel like the dry crumpled one,
smothered and crushed
between sheets of fresh paper.
Tossed aside.
Forgotten.
“Hi, Summer!” Preston says cheerfully,
“Come meet my new student.”
It’s her!
She is vibrant and full of artistic promise.
Tears well up in my eyes.
As I turn to leave,
she grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“Friends?” she asks.
I am pulled to the table next to her.
Our hands slide into the gooey golden paint
and I feel special again.