Assignment by Mr. S

tonight’s homework
is simple
but necessary:

go outside
make a pile of leaves
and bury your nose in it

breathe deep
noting every nuanced flavor
and memory baked in since summer

then, as fast as you can
track down and corner
a very busy adult

before any of it escapes you
describe it all to them
and help them remember

that which they can no longer
see, smell, touch, hear
all lost long ago

“I was a kid,
just like you”
they’ll say and it means thank you

don’t be surprised
if they let you talk all
through dinner and dessert

and let you stay up an hour later
even though it’s a school night
they’ll barely remember