the last leaf on the tree

i don't trust

anyone

who doesn't have a pen

or a pencil

and a piece

of paper nearby to write on.

or books

on a shelf.

or envelopes,

and a checkbook,

or stamps.

or magazines.

i want them to be like

me still hanging

on to

the last century.

holding out

against

the digital man,

and

as tom waits sings.

i want to remain the last

leaf on the tree.