Learning From a Falling Leaf

---

The beautiful yellow leaf

drops soundlessly

on the bed of leaves

like it moved itself towards its death.

Unafraid

gliding gracefully

in its last hour

knowing the answers

to a million questions

without asking

without being taught.

The passage of time

held in abeyance

willfully creates

pauses for reflection.

Because no event

no experience

that which has happened

willfully, naturally, carelessly or in cold blood

should be dismissed without a lesson.

After

everything will turn

yellow

brown

and gray.

Soon there will be

a cold silence

then

a sudden burst into birth

after.

And the cult of trees, shrubs, birds and bugs

understand this

in ways so quiet and simple.