Many leaves
drop
straight
down,
pile up
brown,
obscured,
unobserved,
crumbled
underfoot.
Some leaves
ride updrafts,
veined kites
caught
in brief flight,
then dashed
wedged,
torn,
alone.
A few lives
soar
above,
flicker light,
flash color,
hover
alight.
first published in The Pegasus Review,
also Northern Stars Magazine
© 2001 Bonnie Manion