THE LAST LEAF OF FALL TO FALL

The tree branches were empty,

Of leaves big and small.

All except one little leaf,

The last leaf of fall to fall.

This little leaf was scared to let go,

He’d been here since he was a bud.

He had a fear of falling,

And landing with a thud.

He’d think back to warmer days,

Whenever he was afraid.

He remembered how green he was,

With a life made in the shade.

But he knew changes were taking place,

Gone was his gorgeous green.

Now he was all decked out,

In the brightest red you’ve ever seen.

So this little leaf held firm,

Insistent on hanging around.

There was no way he’d let go,

And end up on the ground.

Just then a cold wind came through,

Colder than an artic moose.

That wind blew hard through the trees,

And shook the little leaf loose.

 But the little leaf was surprised to find,

That he was no longer afraid.

If he had known what he knew now,

He never would have stayed.

The little leaf danced through the air,

Going where the wind blew,

Doing summersaults and pirouettes,

And really enjoying the view.

Eventually he landed in a yard,

Doing so with grace and style.

Then he felt the tines of a rake,

And was raked into a pile.

As the little leaf sat there,

Amongst all those other leaves,

He heard the sound of children,

And saw hands, feet, and knees.

Kids were jumping into his pile,

As they laughed and giggled with glee.

Having the time of his life, this little leaf,

Was as happy as a leaf could be.

The little leaf felt invigorated,

A new beginning had begun.

He knew he was meant to be a part of,

Children having fun.

Michael D. Schafer

© October 14, 2018