The last plum leaf falls—
 
why would I trade this morning
 
for any other?

 
 
 

Deepening autumn—
 
my old grey tabby’s ninth life
 
withers like a leaf.

 
 
 

First song of autumn:
 
a golden plum leaf trembles
 
in the fading light.

 
 
 

Last day of summer—
 
a dove and her plaintive song
 
bid each leaf farewell.

 
 
 

A cottonwood leaf,
 
finally losing its grip,
 
flutters to the earth.

 
 
 

In the garden shed
 
a leaf rake’s broken handle
 
waits to be repaired.

 
 
 

Breezes from the north—
 
my apricot tree shivers,
 
dropping one gold leaf.