Autumn Leaves

Magpie 35

The falling leaves drift by the
window. The autumn leaves
of red and gold. Fifty years
ago, the count of a golden
anniversary you sang that
song and you loved
each other.

C'est une chanson, qui
nous ressemble. Toi tu
m'aimais et je t'aimais.
Fifty years ago, the love
was fresh. The love was
tender. Fifty years ago
the love was. You sang
these words as he played
the music. He accompanied
you and your dance until
the two of you danced
away.

I see your lips, the summer
kisses. The sun-burned
hands I used to hold. And
now I am lost. Where do I
look to, where do I turn
who will ever teach me
to love. Mais la vie
sépare ceux qui s'aiment.
Tout doucement sans
faire de bruit. The sea
will erase the lover's
footsteps, the sea will
erase the lover's breath.

Since you went away, the days
grow long, and soon I'll hear
old winter's song. But I miss
you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start
to fall.

****************************

This, dear friends, is another Magpie Tale. This is the true story of my parents. Early in their relationship, when they still laughed together, they took a trip to New York City. They walked by a recording studio, for a handful of coins they could record their own music. My dad played the piano, my mother sang. "Autumn Leaves" is the first song on the album they recorded together. Decades later, I stumbled upon it by accident. I listened to these songs with tears in my eyes. I had it re-mastered and pulled into the new century of digital music. I wonder how can I be nostalgic for a love I've never known, nor witnessed?

p.s. the lyrics are in italics, my words surround them just like their love I wished had surrounded me...