Forgotten- Now Gift

The never-used phone book came down

 from the front closet shelf today.

Trying to find the address of a friend.

Guess it has been a year since

 I flipped the pages looking

 for a number or address.

Just google it anymore.

And then….

a brilliant red leaf fell onto the floor.

and another, and another.

Maple leaves and soft furry lamb's ear.

Laid carefully between the pages for a year.

Pressed down flat and

preserved between the black-inked

newsprint.

Waiting to be the gift.

Waiting to surprise.

Waiting to herald the 

days of full color 

quickly zooming our way

on the calendar.

Promise and Patience.

Laid out to quietly invite the 

colors-

Home Again.