The Little Leaf

Dear little leaf on the tree,

You’ve always been there. From when the tree was a sprout to when the tree grew big and tall. While all the other leaves eventually fell off, you stayed. No matter how strong the wind blew. No matter how many months passed. No matter how much has changed. You remain on the tree. Through the good and bad moments you prevailed. From when the warm sun rays shined upon you to when the harsh winds almost knocked you down. You’ve persevered through so much, yet you still haven’t fallen off. It was as if the water droplets that slipped off of you on rainy days were the beads of sweat you built up from working so hard. Despite barely hanging onto the branch, you have yet to fall. Even though you’re no longer a bright green, you’re still as vibrant as ever. However, no leaf can stay on forever. No matter how hard you try. No matter how much you cry. No matter how much you strive. But it’s okay. It’s okay to fall. You don’t have to endure it all alone. Everyone has their limits and everyone falls. We all reach our breaking points one way or another. You’re already a dull, faded brown. You’re the only leaf left, aren’t you lonely? Loneliness kills, but you’ve been dead. Your vibrant orange color during the fall was just a facade. No one noticed your tear stained surface during the rain. The beads of sweat that ran down your surface were actually tear drops. You were slowly dying on the inside without anyone knowing. As you watched all the other leaves fall and leave you one by one you too wanted to fall. But you didn’t. Why? Didn’t you want to end your suffering? I suppose you still had the smallest ounce of hope left in you. But in the end, you fell. You finally let go and all of a sudden, you were free. Free from the hard times. Free from the horror that is life. Free from the tree that held you back in one place this whole time. You longed to be able to drift freely in the air. You let the wind guide you as you descended to the ground. As soon as you came in contact with the ground a wave of relief washed over you. You had finally found solace.