A Memory of Falling Once in Leaves

A memory of falling once in leaves
And then again in leaves and once more falling
Only again to rise, and risen run
That fall, to spring, and springing once be gone
'Til fall, and fall again and rising
'Til spring be
spring again, and once more rising
'Til fatal fall of dark and dinner time.

And gone away and gone again that falling
That leaving, leafing, budding and be gone
All gone, and now, but given once to die
And then to know, and shiver dark and evening
Given once to go, and no more rising.
Given once, and only once to go.

And God, if there be God, be that day with you;
And God, if there be God, be going too.

-- Stephen K. Roney