i
each leaf
was a flower,
a green prayer
& a yellow memory
lost in the wind
ii
dry leaves rattle
like bones
on the pavement
iii
leaves are molecules
becoming molecules
becoming trees
& leaves &
molecules
iv
they call the season fall
because each leaf
flutters downward
out of blue heaven
v
burning & unconsumed
a tree is growing
in the center
of the mind
of God
vi
a tree dreams of the leaf
before it appears;
after it is gone;
before it appears––
a tree is a continuous state
of dreaming
vii
a leaf is a revolution
of form––
a metamorphosis
of color––
a sunrise
a sunset
viii
how many leaves
leaf & let go
of all
sorrow?
ix
trees evolve
like time
no two leaves
are the same––
no two seconds
are identical
the tree spirit stirs
in the xylem
of the hours
growing out
of the heaving chest
of nowhere
x
could time exist
without trees?
if a single tree
were stolen from the past
all time would collapse?
could trees exist
without time
in this universe or the next?
in or out of time––
trees are
xi
follow a poem
where it wanders
follow a tree
where it flies