among leaves

I'm gazing out across the field of trees wondering which leaf I am. which insignificant burst of life that comes forth and falls to the ground unnoticed. any one of them could come and go and its space would just be filled in by another. there's no happiness or sorrow, no being loved or unloved. among leaves life is simple, there's no heart by which they suffer

I find myself out there in a million different places, hanging on in a million different ways. I am the bright green new one, little and fresh. I am red and golden with Autumn's touch. I am fluttering in the breeze, mangled by the storm, lightly frail in the drought. I am each and I am any

I come upon my last self. it's winter and it's cold. I am ready to let go. the branch is already bare but for me. I'm looking down and I'm not afraid to fall. come spring others will gaze and new leaves will be here. I will not be remembered. I will not be missed. the eyes delight in what they see, in what's in front of them. never in what's gone

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