Leaf

I saw a leaf die today

It was run over by many cars

As it dreamt of its peacock summer

 

The Small Death of a Leaf (Already Dead)

I watched my leaf hide amongst its fellow leaves

As an ice wind chilled cut through them without mercy

Winter had arrived in Santorini and the seas looked dull

Under the thin grey skies

It had begun to rain and this dampness tempered the movement of the leaves

But they were not still

Just sluggish in their behaviour

I looked at Caldera and imagined its violence

How benign it was as the light faded on the day

Cooling the breeze which was no longer warm

One by one the once crisp leaves were blown into the road

Opposite the military barracks

Where they were destroyed without cause

Night fell without ceremony

The blue black darkness inhibited me

My breath was shorter and more relaxed

I had been watching my leaf

Which I had been tempted to pick up

I retired to my rest and dreamt of ice storms

In my home town of Devizes

And place it flat between the pages of my book

My indecision proved fatal for the leaf

As a sudden wet gust of the ice wind

Threw it into the road

Where it was crushed without mercy by a passing vehicle

But I took comfort in knowing that as it died

That the brittle leaf was quietly dreaming

Of our summer still days in Santorini

 

Greek Islands

Leaves often dream of Greek Islands

I often dream of leaves

 

I am not Greek

Nor am I an island

 

These dreams commence during the fall

When death is near

 

I only dream of leaves

When I am visiting Greek Islands