The Fall

Suddenly, it let go
From its perch on high,
Taking a hesitant leap...
Heading down a path
That only Nature could have planned

Fluttering, an erratic spiral formed
And with the breeze
It traveled far from its home
Settling itself lightly
On the ground

Here it found itself
Among others of its kind
Sprinkled amidst yet others
Of another genus
Not competing, always complementing.

Their job not yet complete
They settled into the cycle ~
Lucky the one that was last to land,
Keeping its brightness the longest,
Feeling the dew on its skin

The scent of the earth
Rose up to greet each layer,
A richly woven tapestry
Blanketed the ground,
As the colours began to fade.

The perfect finish of each one
Became duller each day,
Spots forming,
A sign they’d soon decay
This too a task they must complete

Now becoming one,
The layers sank further
And the creatures of underground
Awakened to break their fast
Slowly, slowly, the earth consumed them.

The leaf, magnificent and delicate,
Had met its end
Unaware that it would provide
Life-giving nurture
To the trees from whence they came.

Kira Braun