FALLING LEAF

She closes her eyes and becomes a leaf,
Falling from the tree,
Dancing on the breeze,
Escaping her grief.
She sails to a stream and joins the flow,
Subdued by the torrent,
Ruled by the current,
Drifting in the tow.
She coasts along in this liquid blend,
Sheltered from the stones.
Lulled by fluid tones,
Starting to descend.
But, a perceptive rock ends her run,
Frees her from despair,
Springs her to the air,
Holds her to the sun.
She opens her eyes and becomes herself,
Back in her own bed,
Free of all the dread,
Scouting a new tree.