Tethered

There is a leaf, tethered
to the tree
outside my window;
barely holding on.
A strong gust of wind
and she’ll be gone.
Each time I look
I am surprised
to see her there,
anchored by what
appears to be thin air.
She is stronger
than she looks.
Stronger than the branch
to which she clings,
or is it reversed?
She is desperate
to be free only
held back by
a filigree of hope;
the branch cannot
let go. I feel loss
for them both.

~The H Word~