A Summer Fantasy

Scraping along the road, a dried leaf shattered the peace

Of a summer's day. It disturbed the drowsing plants.

An old woman wondered, why did the quiet cease?

In the lush abundance of summer, why did a dry leaf dance?

Little leaf, scraping along like that, you shatter our rest!

It's not fall, so why all that noise, she cried?

So wrinkled old one, am I a pest?

Yet you, wrapped in the bright quilt of summer like a bride,

From winter's icy fingers you cannot hide!

A bejeweled hummingbird flew by.

Begone, shriveled leaf. Begone with your tale of sighs.

Yes, she shall fall asleep, but then she shall rise!