Autumn Leaves

A split cuticle bleeding slow
Ten yellow school buses idling below
Fingernail picked to the red quick
Cold wind rattles through the chainlink

I'm gripping the roof rail wire
Looking down at the concrete choir

Waiting to drop like autumn leaves
Counting the cracks through worn-out sleeves
Sky turns copper, sky turns gray
I hear every word you didn't say
Waiting to drop like autumn leaves

A torn sticker on a rusted post
The avenue empties out like a ghost
Stray red hair tangled in wool
This whole damn avenue is cold and full

My knuckles white against the metal
Waiting for the dust to settle

Waiting to drop like autumn leaves
Counting the cracks through worn-out sleeves
Sky turns copper, sky turns gray
I hear every word you didn't say
Waiting to drop like autumn leaves

Just one loose thread on my collar
Down in the street someone hollered
Nothing holds on forever
Nothing snaps quite this clever

Waiting to drop like autumn leaves
Counting the cracks through worn-out sleeves
Sky turns copper, sky turns gray
I hear every word you didn't say
Waiting to drop like autumn leaves

Breath turns to smoke in the cold
Waiting to let go of the hold