The fifth grade science lesson this week interests me
Investigating the decomposers of leaves
Finding the fine lacework mycelium network
Digesting the vegetable matter detritus.
Looking at the color change progression this year
I learn something new about the process
How the precious green chlorophyll is conserved
Withdrawn from the leaves back into the trees.
Brown attachments long remaining on oak and beech
Trees that draw back in every last ounce of worth
Understated beauty shaded dull drab
Each leaf represents a certain perfection.
Separating only after all the nutrients have been returned
Holding on long enough to give back to the next iteration
The leaves leave behind this resource and drift down
So soon to be consumed by the earth below.
