Leaf

When all my sisters and brothers were gathered together
When screams of laughter scattered them
And they were gathered again
I was still
Holding on to the branch even past the first frosts
The last rains coated me with ice
I could say that I couldn’t move but I would be lying
I only have to let go
Let the wind take me
Maybe into the neighbor’s yard
Maybe over the high hedge I’ve seen it happen
Crushed by a car, pissed on by a dog
End up in the compost heap, food for worms
See that? that was a caterpillar
Took a bite out of me when I was young
But I survived, I’m a survivor
Hanging on