Leaf Angel by Chantal Bellehumeur

(This poem was originally published in the arts section of The Suburban Newspaper's website)

I hid my sadness behind a fake smile
raking coloured leaves into a neat pile
I didn't know why I wanted to cry
on this nice fall day with a clear blue sky
The tears just randomly crept up on me
but I thought it best not to set them free

Thinking back to happy times as a child
I decided to have fun and go wild
I looked at the big leaf pile I just made
and decided to act like a grenade
Without a care in the world I jumped in
instantly forgetting my chagrin

I threw a bunch of leaves into the air
then let them fall into my face and hair
The stern neighbours' reaction made me giggle
and I laughed more at the leaves' slight tickle
In my new excitement I tripped and fell
but didn't care because I now felt well

Turned on my back I tried to remember
something else I did when I was younger
Soon I recalled the snow angels I did
and relived my happy days as a kid
I moved my straight arms and legs apart
then got up carefully to view my art

I smiled at my beautiful leaf angel
feeling content after being playful.
This simple childish act helped me elude
the negative thoughts and reset my mood
I was fit to face the rest of the day