Nature's Cycle

a leaf slowly tumbles

to the ground,
raindrops flatten its
frail appearance,
squirrels trample upon
its torn body,
leaves falling on top
of old ones,
covering the grass
hiding the roots of
old trees and
covering nuts,
for which all the
squirrels search,
ants live under the
leaves making homes
in the dark dirt,
worms burrow in and
around - leaves crumble,
finely mix together,
as more leaves cover
the ground...  fall
turns to winter...
winter to spring,
fresh leaves appear
and the journey
of the cycle ends
just as abruptly
as it began.

October 27, 2024