Autumn Leaves

     I wrote this poem last fall, but didn't want to publish it until the leaves were actually falling (as if I could be sued for false advertising).  Now that a regular rain of foliage is falling, I feel free to share.

  Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves

bare, branched bones,

bright colored foliage,

suddenly blown

neither needing, nor needed by, the tree

Free.

Autumn leaves

turning pages

books opened by

junior sages

needing to learn, but desiring to be

Free.

Autumn leaves

empty homes

college bound children,

suddenly grown

leaving their parents, each learning to be

Free.

Autumn leaves

fields at rest,

harvest is gathered,

pantries blessed,

quiet beneath nature's cold canopy

Free.