Ten thousand leaves will grace a tree

With beauty for the eyes to see.

And every leaf will strive to be

Most beautiful of all.

But as the summer nears its end

And the tree prepares to sleep again

Leaves shout defiance to the wind

With flaming colors aglow.

It’s easy for a leaf to fall

When autumn comes and gives the call.

It’s easy. When the others all

Are tumbling to the ground.

A few stand out against the crowd.

A few hang on when they are not allowed

To stay. Until the bitter winds

Blow them away.

There’s not much to gain in hanging on

When all the other leaves are gone.

But for the honor of being known

As the last to go.