As the Leaves Fall

When my soul is tired, I take to the woods.

I do not traipse through them like a lumbering chipmunk -

truly the most chattering children of the forest.

No.

I curl up with a tree, borrowing its sense of patience.

There I wait for the awakening found amongst leaves filtering warm light for life first waking.

Orange, yellow, and red gems flutter and fall.

And in the quiet, I wonder -

Does this exist if it is not observed?

I do not know.

I only know,

When my soul is tired, I take to the woods.

But I do not implore them with my opinions or my thoughts -

my sense of self discarded when my walk began.

Yes.

In silence and stillness, I rest and wonder.

There I observe the ballet of the leaves where they fall in grace and make music upon descent.

The soft pitter-patter loud on the crisp air.

And in the rustling, I wonder -

does the symphony of the forest exist when no one listens?

I do not know.

I only know,

When my soul is tired, I take to the woods.

For I cannot risk existing in a world where the leaves do not dance and play.

Because of them, I have lived many more days.

#autumn #leaves #nature #mentalhealth