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