Autumn Oak Leaf

To the Regimental Adjutant:

I was two years younger when we first met,
And you saw me as worthless.
I was the lowest of the low, you the awe-inspiring superior;
And you were disgusted by me.
I was stumbling over myself, you doubted;
And you were obligated to proceed.
I was already thinking of what I wanted to feel;
And you were either oblivious or in denial.

You taught me everything again as you saw fit,
And I tried to follow.
You taught me how to speak, to eat, to walk, to live;
And I tried my best.
You taught me how to lie in bed,
And I tried to not imagine connotations.
You taught me about yourself,
And I tried to show you myself in return.

In time, your teachings became my truth;
And we grew closer.
In time, we spoke, we ate, we walked together;
And we grew dearer.
In time, we realized each other;
And we grew clearer.
In time, I realized what I really felt;
And we grew more cynical.

Then I met that standard you set down,
And suddenly, we were peers.
Then I became more like you in many ways,
And suddenly, we were nearly friends.
Then you became distinguished,
And suddenly, we were distant once again.
Then you were accountable for everyone,
And suddenly, we were in the other's margins.

If you knew how I felt at the beginning,
Would you slap me across the face?
If you knew how I valued your teaching,
Would you agree that I had improved?
If you knew how I treasured our bonds,
Would you begin to wonder about me?
If you knew how I feel now,
Would you love me back?

Look at how I gaze at you,
I linger on your image.
Look at how I slow my pace walking by you,
I linger on your company.
Look at how I breathe deeply around you,
I linger on your presence.
Look at how I pour myself out for you here,
I linger on your very essence.

Please wake up!
Please let me know you!

Like an oak leaf that falls
To the ground in autumn's chill,
Soon you will move on,
Though I would have you cling
to this little world forever.