Though I keep hoping
 
that something more will happen,
 
maple leaves turn red.

 
 
 

Autumn afternoon—
 
more leaves than a child can count
 
drop from the maple.

 
 
 

First day of autumn—
 
I count only two red leaves
 
on my maple tree.

 
 
 

Long before daybreak
 
the first bright notes of birdsong
 
stir the maple leaves.

 
 
 

on a wooden bridge
 
in the Japanese garden:
 
one dry maple leaf

 
 
 

From the topmost branch
 
of my neighbor’s maple tree
 
a crow jeers at me.

Leaves

 
 
 

Throughout the long night
 
my neighbor’s crimson maple
 
drops leaves on my lawn.