It’s autumn,

and you are

standing beneath

a tree.

It’s branches

are full

of leaves, and you know

one will soon fall.

So you wait with

great anticipation,

knowing your patience

will pay off.

Eventually, it does and

a leaf breaks

from the branch,

floating towards your hand.

It is delicate, intricate

and in your palm

it is worthy of

complete appreciation.

This magnificent leaf,

unique in all of the world

has left the limb it clung to

and alighted in your palm.

As you gaze on this

delicate, natural wonder

another leaf bobs, and dislocates

from the tree.

With the other leaf in hand

you rush to catch the

other as it falls from

the giant tree.

In just enough time

you reach out your

hand, to stack the falling

leaf atop the other.

Thus one, though,

doesn’t seem the same

despite your vigorous

attempt to catch it.

Its from the same tree,

the leaf should be as beautiful,

but stacked atop the other

doesn’t feel quite the same.

The two leafs do not

amount to much

weight in the palm

of your hand.

Another leaf trembles

on a branch above,

your legs move,

and a third leaf is in your hand.

More leaves fall

and you catch them

atop the others, stacked

in your palm

Eventually, the

Slight weight becomes

more and more

measurable.

But in your hand,

the bottommost

leaves begin to

flake and crumble.

You filled your

hand with more

more things

no longer alive.

And the more that

you gather the

faster they do

deteriorate.

Gather more and more

in your hand,

the essences, and

elements of life.

Grasping them tightly

until they are absorbed

in your skin, becoming

part of your soul.

Humbly yours,

J