We ride our bikes along the levy trail
tires spinning around at a leisurely pace
marking the distance with every revolution

The willow tree’s branches
hang low over the path
in the early afternoon haze

I reach up like a thief
to grab a handful of leaves
tossing them up in the air, mischievously

Behind me, riding through them
as they scatter and float in the wind
she reaches out gracefully to capture a few
to hold on to from the day

Later, the rescued leaves
are added to her collection
Placed inside a book
with a worn and dog-eared cover

Although the book already has a title,
she always thinks of its’ true name
in the beautiful and private library
tucked away in her heart