The Leaves Above

The leaves above whisper to each other,
telling secrets we can never understand.
One leaf falls
slowly
to its death
shunned by the rest.
I watch it tumble
slowly
jostled by the wind
I break its fall,
but cannot save it’s life.
It is an old man.
whose time has come.
I look at the leaf as I would an old friend.
It’s face covered with lines,
the wrinkles of time gone by.
Grasping the leaf in my hand
I lay back and stare up at the remaining leaves.
Mourning the ones that have passes on.

© Michele (Guard) Markley 1998