A Winter Leaf

 

A winter leaf

dangles precariously at the end

of a naked, frosted branch

withered and curled into itself

as if to protect the little life

remaining inside.

A winter wind

blows across the bare and shivering

branch that quivers in the frozen air

determined to drive 

a winter leaf 

from its tenacious hold

on a fragile, brittle branch.

Soon a winter leaf

must yield to the onslaught 

of wind and rain and

frozen air

and glide gently to the

snow covered ground below

and finally, finally

rest in peace

no longer withered or broken

but reduced to nothingness

And when the spring arrives

a winter leaf will no longer

strive for courage or safety

but silently disappear.