Remembrance

She sits under her favorite tree

Watching the autumn-colored leaves fall

As each one makes its descent

She remembers her life gone by

Her shortened childhood, her all-too-early adulthood

Her adolescent years that weakened her very soul

Her first job, that first apartment

All of the most difficult times

Her first kiss, her first day of school

All of the most awkward times

Her first boyfriend, her first day at college

All of the disasters

She sat and sorted every word that had passed her lips

Every thought that crossed her mind

Every emotion she had ever felt

She thought of every person who had wronged her

And of those she had wrong

She forgave them and let each grudge fade

She thought of all the wonderful things

Her husband, her children, her friends

All of whom had already gone

She remembered every good thing in her life

It brought a smile to her face

Slowly, slowly, very slowly, the last of the leaves fell

Slowly, slowly, very slowly, her task was finished

As the last leave fell,

She took her last halting breath,

Finally at peace.