"Moment passed"

(Composed April 16, 2010).

A leaf falls into the stream,
Crisp and golden as a dream,
Floating as a morning song,
Lapping waters roll him along.

"Stay still," I yearn, "that I might gaze
Upon your beauty, sing your praise
Of vibrant colors, lovely display,"
Yet he cannot; he floats away.

I follow him with my eyes,
Refusing to say goodbyes
'Til he rounds the rugged bend
And I can no longer pretend.

I would jump and swim
Seeking to cling to him;
I would grasp him in my hand
Never letting go, demand.

Yet grasping would be losing,
In my greed cruelly bruising;
The plucking would be killing,
My nightmare's fulfilling.

Moments of exquisite delight,
Stir the soul, thrill, excite,
As the beauty of the dawn,
Yet soon they pass away...gone.

We weep and strain to see beyond,
Vainly flailing our magic wand
To follow their dazzling trail,
Yet our eyes simply fail.

We mope, and pout, and yearn,
For their quick, speedy return,
The tender moment passed,
Wishing it would only last.

Still moments do not swim upstream,
No matter how we yell or scheme,
Still theirs is not the only song,
For another leaf soon comes along.