Under the Leaves

Under the leaves, the stems
the broad, dark-summer maples
little pearls, half-droplets
like upside-down bell curves
heavy droplets stirring
shaking, quaking in the breezes
sliding down the stem,
accumulating, falling
little prisms, mirrors,
if only for an instant
before the wind,
moving the branches
the twigs, little by little,
the leaves, sails themselves
the droplets falling, the air moving
this moment lost, so soon
a glorious dance
the falling of the droplets
on my walk to the store this morning
before the world is fully awake

July 25, 2009