Footprints

a crushed malachite June beetle

announces the death of summer

along with the arrival of fall

glittering green dulling to

orange red and gold tones like

the streaks of your hair in the sun

soft, merciful, free

unlike me,

once believed to be unforgivable,

now turned repentant for what once was

for how I used to be when

the leaves were green and full of life

no amount of penance will wipe my hands clean

no matter how hard I try

there is no right response

no correct choice

to stop the leaves from fading

and to keep you from retreating

Sidney Lodge is a third-year Psychology major from Wilmington, Delaware. Sidney’s poetry focuses on the memories, images, and phrases that linger in her mind. Like most poets, she blends fact with fiction, often incorporating both into a single poem. Sidney spends her free time reading; enjoying music; in mental health advocacy; and connecting with people, animals, and nature.