What I'd give
to live the life
of a leaf
floating down the river
with no other purpose
than to float.

No thoughts
about where
it's going,
or what will happen
once
it's there
cloud its mind.

It lies back
and watches
the stars rush by,
enjoys
the sun's warmth,
and the sounds
of the world
around it.

The leaf tastes freedom
and then is gone.