No longer clinging; time stops for the briefest of moments then it is just happening. Wrapped completely in a feeling of weightlessness the air swoops under and around as it grasps, twists and pulls. The path down isn’t straight and it isn’t a plunge. Instead it’s a journey up and over air currents. It’s a gradual lowering toward the earth with unexpected up drafts. Even when the ground looms up the journey isn’t done. Those crisp winds latch tight causing rolling and tumbling over the surface. Further and further from the branch know as home until finally the winds release the tired leaf to settle amongst other fall leaves.

By Shari Marshall – 2019