with apologies to Joyce Kilmer, author of "Trees" Leaves I think that I shall never see The end of last fall’s frigging leaves Leaves who tumbled once winter commenced Against the sweet earth, hedge and fence Leaves that look at me all day Till I break my back raking them away Leaves that in summer smirk And say, “I’m not fallin’, jerk” Upon autumn to branches cling Who ultimately get raked in spring Poems are made by fools, but a leaf Forever’s gonna give me grief