I have never seen that
very first autumn leaf
fall all alone much less engaged
mon brave in conversation
commending both flight & landing
I have never lingered
beneath that tree
neither as tribute to the courage of the first
nor in ghoulish anticipation
as the rest begin to tumble
perhaps if I had only thought
even just for one scant second
to exercise the unexpected
watchful patience of a curious child
& waited there silent
among the whispers of brittle edges
on slicked pavements
noticing the jaunty rustle of a fox
in the cadmium-stained night
on his way to scatter the dustbins
oh, I think of it now
but later time will continue
to measure out my passing seasons
in these still unnoticed increments