the last leaf

I look out the window
at the man
in a mask with a leaf blower.

it sounds like a jet plane
about to crash
into the cul de sac.

he's chasing, pushing,
in pursuit of
one leaf

to be sucked up into his enormous
truck
which is running
loudly on the street.

a great diesel cloud of black smoke
rises from the exhaust.

it's early. hardly a bird is up.

I watch for a few minutes
then go fix a cup of coffee.

I go back to the window.
he's getting closer
to the truck. inch by inch

the little brown leaf moves
onward. he's

real close. another thirty
minutes and he'll have
the leaf at last.

i'm almost ready to clap.