The Leaping Maple

Anaya Chambliss '28

I was born at a locked window

I’d watch the wind dance with the maple leaves

I’d try to touch it, but my fingers would press against glass

I was born at a locked window

Yet, my family were in that breeze

They were the maple leaves swirling in the wind

I’d try to follow but I could only stare through my window

I lived at a locked window

Although, I was just the same

I was a maple leaf too, but I’ve known since birth

I was not made for the wind 

I was not made to dance and to flow through the breeze

To twirl with other leaves

The very earth told me so

And every one of my cells nodded along

Weighed by shame

I existed at a locked window

One day, I pressed and pressed

Shatter

And the breeze claimed me too

I found my leaves, the ones who’d dance with me

Even when maple fled

No longer did I live at that locked window

Now I was free

Without maple and with my name

I lived dancing in the breeze