The Leaf

I saw a leaf on the pavement at night
Still it laid,
Stepped on the edge, on the edge of time…
I picked it up
And looked at its veins, full of lifeless life, I
Looked at Its green, crude and lifeless like
A stone, I looked at it.

It faded into the brown of death,
Alive, as all is alive,
Only I
Looked at its veins full of beaten beauty
And stared into the stars of its green, the city
Shivered.
Only I
Knew the leaf,
Only I
Paid attention.

It was me, but
Would never be
Forever mine.