Charm demystified

Charm Demystified

I walked amongst the gold foliage
the fallen ones that are still moist
not quite crunchy under foot.
picked one up and studied it

and saw a leaf, just a leaf
not gold, just plain yellow
the sort I won’t wear against my skin
cause it makes me look wan and sallow

chewed in places
by a pre-pupae caterpillar
it also had small black piercings
dotted along its spine and veins

released to the rustling floor, it
drifted unnoticed, ordinary
and when I tried to find it again
merged, submerged, it had gone

leaf demystified - like you -
on closer inspection.
your gold doesn’t draw my attention
you don’t suit me any more