Aubrey Hitchcock

The newly ruddy leaf hangs on tightly for its life

After once being so healthy and so green.

As the wind blows, its body quivering and swaying,

It drifts slowly off its branch, leaping through the sky.

As it arrives at its destination, it disappears,

Blending into the blanket of leaves that gently grips the chilly grass.

And as it dances away with the wind,

Other leaves hang on to the branches above until their time comes to be set free.