Paper Lanterns

Against the dark
September evening
Paper lanterns
Made their own constellations,
Bearing up
Their weight of wishes
Wrapped up warm
And glowing still

Above our heads:
Wind-snatched and soaring,
Their magic spell
Cast bright and lonely.
From the dark
I watched you watching,
Held my breath
And wishes in.

No arms enclose
My morning's shivers,
Wading through
The fallen lanterns,
And lord I wish
I'd had the courage
To steal a kiss
Under the moon.