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Gary Stein

Fallen Leaves

Leaves that fall before their time
Do not see fullness promised
They will never feel the final surge
Colorful end demolished
Do not see fullness promised
Like a contract unfulfilled
A brilliant finale dismissed
Life's essence prematurely spilled
They will never feel the final surge
Missing part of existence
To fall and decompose
No notice . . . . . no resistance
Colorful end demolished
No elaborate effusion
What a pity to be attenuated
And not make it to conclusion.
Leaves that fall before their time
Only know their shortened past
And never know color, sublime
With futures that do not last