The Leaf was Once Beautiful

Does the orange leaf feel fear before she falls?

Or does she feel freedom, happiness as she floats 

For the first and last time?

Like a lamb to slaughter.

Does the beautiful leaf knows she will be crushed,

Trampled by giggling children,

Raked over with hundreds of other leaves

With the same crushed dreams? 

The world is cruel,

For the people admiring the autumn leaves for their beauty,

Are the same ones that end it.

And after they are done, 

They will not think of the ones they ruined,

But of the ones to come.