the leaves rattle.
they used to
breathe so softly small
rises and falls with wind song. so full
of moisture,
vitality,
promise so unknowing
of the inevitable
stiffness
but the stiffness has come. a rickety
racket their bodies noisy now
drained
of all moisture bent and hunched
over
when a foot meets
they cry
a crinch-not a woosh- then…