Die Like a Leaf

I want to die
Like a leaf in autumn.
To go out in a blaze
Of brilliant colors,
Reflecting the fire
Of a life well-lived.
Like Elijah, who was
Enveloped in a whirlwind.
Or Moses, whose
Face shone the glory
Of God in his old age.

Instead, I’ll probably
Be more like that old
Burnt-looking, crinkled
Leaf that just wouldn’t
Surrender the fight.
I’ll hang on long past
My time, spinning to make
Up for the lack of
Fire from yesteryears.
I’ll long for home
But grapple my fears.

Finally, the last breeze
Will come to take me away.
My children will try
And catch me on the
Way down, with
Experimental treatments
Or an all-organic diet.
But I’ll evade their
Grasp and crash
To the ground,
Where all the leaves go.

But when the Gardener
Tenderly picks me up,
I’ll finally be a blaze
Of brilliant colors.
Brighter than
My drab imagination
Could have conjured.