When autumn leaves. . .

My question today
           was how many leaves
will fall in the Fall
           in Lewisham alone
in the coming British autumn
           and who could count them
and even if they could
           why would they bother
and what is the value
           of a single leaf

so fresh and vibrant
           in springtime but
doomed like us all
           to be dust too soon
life-giving leaf
           destined to die
albeit blessed to live on
            in song

John Lyons