Metamorphoses

[Aish]

When you and I were summer, and the sky
was greyer than the green that grew between
my linden and your oaken strength, serene,
eternal as the shadows passing by,
you whispered me a question; my reply
was lost upon the winds of might-have-been,
for change must come to every tranquil scene
and gifts from gods are not what they imply.

Forever is a dream lost to the dawn
and temples fall to dust beneath the years,
as roses split the stones and oceans dry;
yet boughs will bend and brave the tearing thorn
to claim the scars as treasured souvenirs,
and laugh until the summer, you and I.

This is absolutely my new favorite piece of writing. It's gorgeous. "When you and I were summer" Your opener is bittersweet, heady, and it stings my own youthful memories. "you whispered me a question; my reply
was lost upon the winds of might-have-been,
for change must come to every tranquil scene
and gifts from gods are not what they imply." Somehow you managed to lift a memory out of me that is so potent it made me tear up.
"yet boughs will bend and brave the tearing thorn
to claim the scars as treasured souvenirs," Tears. I really did tear up.

I wouldn't change a thing. Emotionally evocative, well written, and lovely.