A child’s imagery may often be incongruous, but vivid. Imagine, along with a five-year-old on a magnificent autumn day, that the heavens opened wide and with a gust of wind “snowed” leaves.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
At first, there’s just a gentle flutter…
Of red and golden “snow,”
Of icicle-shaped pine needles,
And one lonely pine cone.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
Once snatched from the tree branches…
The leaves waft in the wind,
Free floating on air,
Suspended in space.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
The wind puffs and becomes a flurry…
Of falling, spinning leaves,
Captured by a current,
Dancing with a whirlwind.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
It’s a blistery, blustery sight…
Those frosty autumn leaves,
Glistening in the sun,
Sparkling with the morning dew.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
With a final blizzard blast…
The tree is stripped of all its leaves
Each little twig and branch,
Left plundered, barren, stark.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
At last the leaves snuggle to the ground…
Spreading all over the landscape.
They rest softly, silently,
Like fresh fallen, confetti-colored snow.
"Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
The heaps and piles of raked-up leaves...
Beckon invitingly to the child,
Like the season’s first snowfall.
Alas, there are leaf-falls more often here.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
The mischievous “snowing” wind is stilled...
Hushed -
And solemnly, the whole world
Lies in wait for winter.
“Mama, Look! It’s snowing leaves!”
1974
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