I can't rely
solely
on my own
counsel
for advice anymore
because
after reaching so
many
dead ends this
year,
I've now realized
that
I need professional
therapy.

I'm a tree in
September
with my leaves changing
color,
falling off one by
one,
and letting the cool
autumn
breeze blow through my
branches
sweeping the deceased ones
away,

during fall, I'm letting
go
of possessions I held
dear.

There's no
shame
in loneliness
because
all living
things
depend on
each
other to
survive,
so feeling
alone
and seeking
togetherness
is a
natural
state of
being.

We went on an
adventure
to a new local
restaurant,

we both weren't
craving
the menu,
except for slices of
cheesecake,

we didn't order dinner,
but
it's still a sweet
escape.

I began writing
not
for personal gain,
not
for attention from
others
or out of
obligation
instead, I just
typed
out words simply
for
the joy of
writing;

and that's the
only
motivation I’ll work
with.

Waiting for our
food
in the packed
drive-through
lane during a
hot
summer's day didn't
take
forever because at
least
we were waiting
together.

I couldn’t
hide
my squeamishness
because
she acted
far
too familiar
with
me and
forgot
about our
boundaries.