By David Roth
© 14 October, 2003
There was this pile of leaves, you see, as high as I stand tall.
I pass beside it every day, and gaze, as I recall,
With eyes awash in wonder at the blaze of color there
And realize in that moment, there’s naught else that can compare.
But suddenly I’m transported back to a different place and time
And to another pile of leaves, and a young man in his prime.
I see that bright eyed smiling lad, resplendent in his youth,
And wonder, not the first time, when he grew so long in tooth.
In baggy jeans and sweatshirt he stood fifty feet away,
And how my heart is quickened at the memory of that day!
Without a word of warning he raced forward to the pile
A perfect arching swan dive, he rolled, landing with a smile!
His laughter was infectious, I recall it even now,
And standing here in suit and tie, I wonder if some how
If no one else were looking, would I dare to take the chance?
And lose control just this one time. I pause. I sneak a glance.
A whiny, irritating voice is shouting in my ear,
“You know, you’re almost fifty-one! You have no business here!”
But then, there is that other voice, that echoes in response,
“Come on! You know you want to – go ahead! Live, just this once!”
And so I loosen up my tie, and kick off both my shoes,
And look around just one last time, as if for an excuse,
And seeing that I’m all alone, I drop my coat and run!
I’m suddenly reminded why I thought this was such fun!
I reach my spot, I leap up high; I soar in graceful dive,
I roll and tumble, twist and turn, so glad to be alive,
For there submerged neck deep in leaves and laughing at the sun,
I think, for just this moment, I remembered to have fun!
