Ode to a Fallen Leaf

Oh fallen leaf,
thou once wast green,
the glory of the tree.

Shade for the passerby,
refuge for the mother,
whilst children scampered among daisies.

Thy color changed,
to brave shades
of red, gold, and rust.

When thou fell,
from branch to ground,
thou crowned earth's floor.

I passed by and admired,
thy cloak of brilliant bravery,
and saddened,
I watched as thou were collected into piles
by the road.

In monstrous black bags,
thou wast stashed
as trash,
and I thought this a tragedy
of God's splendor.

Though thou wast not deemed
fair enough
for her front lawn,
Fake leaves adorn her mantle
in honor of thy beauty!

~by Lucinda Jane, admirer of fallen leaves