Untouched

Down, down, and down,
     Swinging lightly through time
Like a leaf settling slowly
     Through late spring air onto water
After surviving winter's ravages

Did you think to fall so,
     Touched only by air,
Of no concern to anyone
     'Til at last you came to final rest
And only then needed to be raked in and
     Disposed of?

There are people yet who travel
     Hundreds of miles to relish the
Explosive incandescence and glory
     Of New England fall foliage.

You forgot that
     Even suspended, untouched --
                descending --
You might yet affect others.

Beauty always does.

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