bright green and supple, the fresh little leaf spun free away from the tree, excitedly whirling in the wind— up and down and up and down. freedom! liberation! at last! up and down and up and down. it flew with bees, over fields of flowers, and skimmed young blades of grass— how good to be free on a summer day! up and down and up and down. the little leaf spiraled everywhere and delighted in the wind’s magisterial hand, ensuing and continuing in circle eights and elliptical shapes. up and down and up and down and… up once again, but back down more quickly. and down and down and down the little leaf fluttered. and settled. and stayed. no longer in the wind’s favor, but still free. it sat unshackled by any branch— unattached to anything— but stuck in the same little green prison that was all along.