withering leaves of autumn
blowing wherever they don’t want to go
into a shaft
down the drain
some even make it inside my door
on the sidewalk for people to slip in
landing on rooftops all mushy with rain
schoolboys kicking them just for fun
just seven months ago
we heralded their arrival
now, finally, all was green
and good
they did the best they could
living to spread true happiness
trying to love
trying to give
and what do they meet in return?
nothing but yet another winter
(31.10.4)
Kenneth Birch 