For Roberta

 For Roberta

by Renee Hawkley

The November air had a bite to it as I walked to work this morning. The sky was full blue, and nature was showing off in a thunder of silence. I picked up a leaf among many strewn along the sidewalk and, on closer examination, was stunned to discover its exquisite blend of design, color, shading and texture.

My coworkers must see this!

I chose a prominent counter and displayed it on a background of yellow construction paper. Word spread, and the "perfect leaf" was visited by admirers throughout the day. Our graphic artist even borrowed it for a brief photo shoot.

On the afternoon walk back home, I noticed all the other leaves that had escaped my attention earlier. Most are on the ground now. I think of them as colonies and collections -- the leaves raked into a pile -- the leaves huddled together blocking a storm drain -- the leaves filling a leaf bag.

Suppose there is such a thing as a "plain old" pile of leaves, but no such thing as a "plain old" leaf . . . 

I wonder. 

 2009 - While serving a mission at the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City, Utah


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