I Saw, in that Leaf

I sat beside the pond on a wet day
still, like a stone,
quiet, like a falling leaf
expecting miracles
and I waited

And I stared at the early autumn leaves
falling from the trees
smoothly as a dancing butterfly
and touching down,
lying on the ground
with the dignity of days

And I noticed on the aged bottom
of the rusting metal johnboat
a Tulip Poplar leaf had landed there
and shone gold
a bright moment on a gray day

And I saw, in that leaf
the whole world
and possibilities not yet fully realized.