Lifespan of a Leaf

Contributor: Susan Sweetland Garay

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The leaves begin
so beautifully
green. Hanging from
branches lovingly
and intelligently placed
to do their work.

The colors change.
They hang still,
lovely in their aging.

Then the fall,
at first a delight,
piled and crunching
as we walk
secretly skipping steps
to hit one with a particularly
appetizing crunch.

But then the
rains come and
the leaves lose
their edges,
becoming only
a soggy mush
clinging to my boot.


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Born and raised in Portland Oregon, Susan received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Brigham Young University, spent some years in the Ohio Appalachians and currently lives in the Willamette Valley with her husband and cat where she works in the vineyard industry. Her love for books also inspired her to learn the art of book binding which continues to be an enjoyable past time. She self-published a book of poems and photographs, Gifts from the sky, in 2012.