THE LEAF

Why did you have to die?
When you drifted down to lie,
Your companions all
Joined you in the fall
From your home in the sky.

You burst forth in spring
Stood atop like a king,
Sun sprinkled light
Birds in their delight
From loves bough they did sing.

You gave the world air
We all had our share,
Bountiful fruits
And new born shoots
Your canopy an autumn fair.

We will share your fate
So little love so much hate,
Unlike the leaf
Mankind's a thief
Let's hope we're not too late.

You give protection and cover
Shade me and my lover,
Ash, beech and oak
Without you we'd choke
You're unlike any other.

The lungs of the world
Being raped, unfurled,
It's breath gone
Destroyed Amazon
Its leaves burnt and curled.

Fewer leaves, more men
Autumn or fall again and again,
No respite or relief
Just more falling leaf
It's now not if, its when.......?

Phil Hall  November 2013