"The First Fallen Leaf" (Spillwords Prompt)

 

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/      

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44

 (PINTEREST PHOTOS)

 

 

 "THE FIRST FALLEN LEAF"

   I found myself sitting on the old
   wooden park bench
In my old quaint neighborhood
Peering through oversized sunglasses 
   and sipping a mocha latte,
   watching the world go by
Like a lone wolf, or perhaps a frightened lamb
Yet I remained true to who I am 
The clouds overhead reminded me
That some things never change
They blended in with the grey sky
   and hid a few secrets of their own
But they remained the same
Like the people, places and things I know
Who all tell similar tales of woe

As the wind picked up
I raised the huge collar of my beige raincoat
To simply keep the wind  
   from whistling in my ears 
   and thrashing down my neck…
A raindrop or two sprinkled my nose
So what! What the heck!
Even the pigeons continued to peck!
Suddenly, out of nowhere,
   an autumn leaf, just one, made an appearance 
It swayed to and fro
   upon the wings of the autumn breeze
Then it gracefully fell into my lap
   and looked up at me with its crisp smile
   and put my mind at ease

Donning a brilliant reddish-golden hue 
It whispered to me that some things do change
So I gazed up at the huge tree from where it came 
…Just one lonely leaf; The First Fallen Leaf
   showed me things are never the same 
It chose me today, I am proud to say 
   as it fell into my lap just to say “hello”
I was thankful it interrupted my thoughts 
It begged to tell me things I needed to know
I listened intently and embraced its autumn glow
Then a swift wind thrust this exquisite leaf
   from my lap onto the ground below!
I tried desperately to drag it back to me
   with the sole of my shoe, but it set itself free
My elusive leaf tumbled in the relentless wind
   leaving me behind as I sadly grinned
It hurt so bad to say good-bye
This lone leaf brought a tear to my eye
…then I watched as the wind lifted it higher
I watched it dance in the air
It seemed so dire
Until it fell upon the lap 
   of a sweet elderly lady so fair 
I know it is rude, but I just had to stare

I gasped as she grasped it so tightly
   and placed it in her pocket
I hoped she might preserve it in a special locket
Perhaps she needed this leaf more than I
I was a bit jealous, I cannot lie
She captured it quite wisely, I must say
May she be truly blessed on this Autumn day
I secretly blew a kiss into the wind
and said good-bye to this First Fallen Leaf
   who managed to erase all of my grief
   who taught me a lesson in life today
Through its reddish-golden hue 
   it showed me the way
Yes, it was time for me to change
So I removed my cell phone from my purse
   and memorized those words I did rehearse
And called my Dad just to say 
   “I love you”
And hoped he’d feel the same way too

We had argued several weeks before
   over nothing at all
Nothing that mattered anyway
We argued just because…
And I simply stayed away
Dad was thrilled to hear from me
I heard it in his voice
…So I left the park; I knew I made the right choice
   and I left that wondrous leaf behind
Promising to cherish it in kind
Then I headed over to Dad’s favorite bakery
I chose each pastry with reverie
I selected a small cheesecake that called out to me
It was decorated with one Fallen Leaf 
Like the one I set free

I know today will remain a fond memory
Dad and I can discuss it over chamomile tea…
To think The First Fallen Leaf led me home
   From an old wooden park bench
   where I was sitting alone…