Dead sodden leaves clinging to pavement,
Twisted, bare branches waving in the wind,
An empty paper coffee cup tossed in the trash –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

Late nights laughing long and hard,
Tears mirroring an endless day’s rain,
Windy walks across campus to class –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

Library dates alone, writing and thinking,
Dorm dates baking, sipping tea, and praying,
Skype dates connecting, remembering, and sharing –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

The unseen sigh of hidden longing,
The jealous spurn of momentary rejection,
The defeat of failure pressing in close –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

The broken prayer of a forgiven sinner,
The hallelujah of joyful peace restored,
The sweetness of a friend’s genuine smile –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

Surprising discoveries in realms anew,
Old loves reaffirmed and cherished all the more,
Scary risks of faith taken one step at a time –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

Plaid Converse and plaid umbrellas,
Pigtails, scarves, and purple toenails,
Anne of Green Gables and sweet parfaits –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

Four weekends … four different ways of loving people,
Seventeen early mornings … seventeen ways of learning God’s grace anew,
Multiple new friends made … multiple old ones re-appreciated –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.

Inspiration and exhaustion,
Thanksgiving and trial,
Blessed serenity and trust for the unknown –
This is what was left behind in the October of our youth.