The Way it Goes

The Way it Goes
by Christabel Germain

Leaves brightly painted,
Red, yellow, orange

Eased from the grasp of the tree’s fingers
Captured by a breeze.

Flirtatious.
Careless.

The winded carries the
Painted beauty…..

Down
Down
Then up
And
Down

Until it is dropped or lost
By the rambunctious breeze.

There it lays.
Pounded by the rain.
Covered in snow.
Squished by a boot.

Time passes.
Decay.

Spring comes
and the tree’s toes
gathers up the painted beauty’s remains

And at the fingertips a new leaf.