Each fall, I can expect the same question from her
She asks me why it is that the leaves change color
She wants to know because she never knew the reason
Twenty-five years she had to live in a god damn institution

I’ve been in her life the longest of anyone
Stayed in touch much better than some
She hates me one day because I won’t let her depend on me
She loves me the next because she knows, here, I’ll always be

One day, one fall, it was me who went to her with a question instead
I figured she could help me resolve the difficulty with what was in my head
I cried all the way - but I had to see her to know
If she would forgive - for something that happened so many years ago.

I explained in as much detail as she would need
To help me resolve and let my mind once again be free
She knows of her own personal details and of the pain
The answer was forgiveness, to me she explained

And forgiveness is what I did immediately
Judgement wasn’t what was asked of me

She may think I know about the sun & the trees
But I think she knows best, the true color of leaves.