The Last Leaf

Autumn displays its wares;

A shameless foliate spread

Of gold and cinnamon gems and

Flirty sprays of ochre and amber

In seductive abundance.

There’s red in there too;

Shades of love and blood

That fade into russet temptations

Waving coyly along

With their showy orange sisters.

The spectrum changes daily;

A shifting pallet

Of light and shadow

So enchanting

That the wind cannot resist

The playground of colors.

Limb by limb,

It lover-rustles its way

Through the wood,

Breeze intent on

Passion-crazed caress,

False fingers lingering,

Until it shapes the branches

Into twisted nakedness;

A blustery skeleton dance

Of rebirth in waiting

As the last betrayed leaf

Spirals down into ghosthood.