The crisp wind blew the golden leaves to the ground

Their peaceful flutter replaced the priest’s empty words of comfort
As they danced all around like acrobats

Doing flips and twists in mid air.

Julia watched their cheerful, calming movements

Wishing she could dance in the wind as they did

Where she would soar through the fall sky

Across the ocean, over the mountains
To hold tight to her mother and never let go

So that when God came to take her, the two of them would dance

Away from the world until it was only them

But it was much too late for that now
Julia was here, stranded with death and dancing leaves

Looking at the large cherry wood coffin

Hoping if she listened to the leaves
She would hear her mother’s last goodbye