unlit matches

autumn leaves

the autumn wind
has come
too quickly for
my crown.

my branches
refuse to let go
of these leaves

even though
they've turned brown.

we've grown attached,
what if new ones
don't grow back?

what if loneliness
sinks in and
the clouds turn black?

yet the wind tugs,
and i cannot hold on
much longer...

can you promise
that you will find
your way back
to my branches

if i let you go
with the breeze?

i'll make it easy
for you to return.

just look for
the tree
that refuses
to grow new leaves.