Leaves of Change

A single red tree stood out
among the forest of light green that
lay on the north side of the
swamp like, mallard filled pond
just outside of the city.
The wind was slow
but strong enough to bend the branches
of the lonesome colorful tree.
Weakly attached leaves flew away,
now stuck in the damp
moss covered mud of the shore line.
All others took center stage
in a majestic dance,
choreographed carefully by nature.
From beneath the shaking canopy
waddled a lone Canadian goose
with its wings fully spread
and breast perked towards the sky;
Like a lion to the jungle
he was king of the pond.
Gracefully he flew away from
the red tree,
belly grazing slightly above
the cold, green waters of the pond.
Its wings shifted up in the last of the summer breeze;
Autumn is near.

-MJ