Dancing Leaves

The fallen leaves were dancing:

Not in summer’s greenness dangling,

Nor even rustling in the breeze

In autumn’s colors hanging.

No! They were dancing on the ground

Trying to resist the futility they found.

And, looking to extend their existence

Beyond their annual bounds.

They danced frenetically

In hopes that others would not see

Their loss of luster, loss of color,

Loss of purpose, off the trees.

In their disgrace, they were dancing.

In humiliation– refused to retire.

They brandished the look of life

Seeking to avoid the fire.

Their dancing fell short of revelry,

The motion not being their own.

Each passerby merely espied

Insentient leaves windblown.

Yes, the fallen leaves were dancing!