the leaf was deep orange in color

one of many in a magnificent display

signaling the end of summer

the leaf clung on as long as it could

drained of nutrients

no longer fed by the tree

its days of photosynthesis were over

a strong gust of wind rattled the tree

the leaf detached from the branch

no longer part of the tree

it was a free agent

gently floating in the breeze

falling softly to the forrest floor

joining the thick carpet of discarded leaves

awaiting the arrival of microbes and fungi 

decomposition was its lonely fate

a young girl walked through the forrest

she picked up the leaf and took it home

placed it between the pages of a note book

she wrote the date and place where it came from

the notebook was put away and forgotten about

many years later the little girl was a grown woman

she came across her notebook

with the preserved leaf

smiling at the note she had written

she went out in search of the tree

matching the leaf shape

she stood next to the tree

whispering thank you 

for the happy memories you gave me

the leaf went back into the notebook

a few years later she took her daughter to see the tree

she gave her the notebook and leaf

suggesting she visit the tree from time to time

to reflect on all the memories she had collected

many years passed and the tree stood proud

the leaves on the tree were all a bright golden color

a young girl walked through the forrest with her mother

opening the notebook next to the tree

the mother handed the notebook to her daughter

explaining that her great grandmother first found this leaf

the tree looked down and smiled