you are the sum of time, beauty, and life itself
you, yes, you
singular solitary maple leaf
I found you dressed in regal royal red
poised and silent
waiting for me to reach for you
you came with the changing equinox light
under clear starry skies
beneath the whispering flight of departing geese
within the scramble of woodland creatures
you, wearer of red
you may not know this
when I found you I knew
it was as if I always knew
I love you
I've loved you
since before time began, before the first rocky spheres
the eons of infant seas teeming with microbes
when the earth trembled, continents cracked with ice
throughout all ages, all seasons, all days and nights
eternal time led you to me
this astonishing autumnal moment, eternal
yet fleeting
you, born of wood
carry woody fragrance throughout forested byways
your sweet maple honey gold
you, born of sun, bring ruby vermillion crimson blush to our world
yes, yes, I have met other beauties before you
we've all seen them, leaves like you
red, yellow, golden, spotted, striped with green
arrays of brilliant spectacular hues
I loved them, too
but not how I love you
there is something about red, red you
scarlet, silent, serene
I remember you as a tiny seed
double winged, blowing without destination
landing by mere chance in rocky soil
you never complained
you grew and grew no matter the struggle
through rough seasons, inclement winds
becoming a strong trunk, adding height, then canopy
yet you always remained yourself
impeccably observant
perfectly present
you entered our world with the changing sunlight
carrying the entire season in your smallness
glory be to you, oh October leaf
dressed in royal robes of red
how far you've flown
how high you've grown
blown by chance to this very spot
beautiful brief life
lying now in surrender
on the cool, damp leafy earth
death is so easy for you
no regrets, no resistance
silent on your earthen bed
nothing rustles you now
rest in peace, lovely leaf
one with the leafy forested floor
I love you now
and will love you forever
you
oh leaf, oh love, oh life
About the Creator
PK Colleran
"There are people who write, but I think they’re quite different from people who must write."
Harper Lee
Writer, translator, seeker
Editor of Landscape of the Soul by Hipólito Sánchez and Words Matter by Jorge Waxemberg
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