Late Night Crossing

Shh she said and Shh
and took my hand
and stepped down off the curb
hurrying across the street
under the solitary light
swinging from its tethers
and I could hear
the souffle of her breath
and the echo of our steps
and the whisper of leaves
being carried by
the nightwind and
I could smell the
perfume she had sprayed
one last spritz before
we left the house and I
could smell the dust of the street and
the earthy chestnuts
that I had crushed under
my shoes tenderly
earlier in the day.
I memorized the night
and betrothed myself to longing.
she held my hand in hers
and said Shh