Imogen Wall: ‘Leaf Litter’

Leaf Litter

My leaves are falling off too.
I’m defoliating.
Not just losing the keys,
but the will to please.
Thankfully
it’s fallen away.

My pride’s gone,
the need to adorn
with silver and gold.
Things seemed to fold
and drop,
till all I want today
is today,
to read but only
one or two leaves.

The world
lies at my feet,
déshabillé,
future piling up,
past complete.
I detached the alarm,
so not much
is left.

The vanity mirror
reflects only the garden
where yellow leaves
fall
and the blue sky
empties
to nothing
but a wisp of cloud.

Imogen Wall