Last Leaf (2017)

It held fast against strong wind gusts,

Determined to hold on tight all winter.

Autumn turned green, yellow to brown,

Where it shrunk crisp onto frost’s bite.

It’s Will tethered stem did see others fall,

Spiraling down adrift revolving currents,

Where they layered earth to compost time,

Falling apart bit by bit to renew spring buds.

This single leaf was going to defy all odds,

As light snow did cower ice cold chill shivers.

Where it stood alone - in snow furry isolation.

Got to hang onto that last breeze - taking me away.

Confidence build but tear mist rain drip drops

As a layer of ice encased it - with adder weight.

Have to hold one, must not give up, as limbs weep

Low and with a crack the limb falls with the last leaf.

Where upon hitting earth, it did cry out, it last sigh.

As it shattered into a thousand pieces aloud sound.

It thundered deep in the forest upon its valiant attempt.

But alas, the circle of life buds - then falls as the last leaf.

dly 01/20/17

Last Leaf

Wind whisking back ’n forth,

Hanging on a tread of hope,

Blizzard brittle frozen leaf,

Last remnant Spring thaw.

Ice covered icicle branch,

Ice storm, wet damp snow,

Gravity of a grave situation,

Awaiting the compost pile.

Sunshine dripping the end,

Weight breaking certainty,

Flash shattering dead fibers

Stripped bare a tree wept!

David L. Young 12/21/06 ©
De-Terminated poet, somewhere in America not on company time