Autumn rolled her eyes. "Just a couple of teenagers that didn't pay attention in sex ed." Though she supposed she should thank them for having the decency of not having an abortion. "How about you?" She knew China had a large population and adoption wasn't uncommon there, but she thought she'd ask.
Autumn shifted. "I do, I just . . ." Could she really recite it? Right here in the restaurant with a girl she just met? She wasn't much of a performer. Not that anyone had ever asked.
Her eyes turned towards the window. At the night. At the moon, and she found herself speaking.
"I stand in the cool of the foam-marbled water. Stones chum and tumble, stinging my ankles. Pine-sweet night air permeates my quivering nostrils and chills my bare white arms.
"The moonbeams dance mirthfully, tempting me to reap them - lock them in lanterns, wreathe my hair. They are bright hopes and promises. I skim my yearning palms in vain over the water.
"The moon observes with aloofness - a stark white disc of reality.
"'My beams are not for you to reap - cherish tenderly, embellish your plain body, light the silent alienation of your night.'
"The water chuckles, mocking and languorous.
"Pale petal moths tremble against my hair like embodiments of my tears. I am alone..."