A fallen leaf

She walked a long time, one foot after the other. Along the road, sandy soil gave way to dark, rich earth where small shoots of grass began to poke through.

Ahead was a graveyard. She came to the fence and let herself in through the gate. She looked at each stone, searching for her name.

A leaf fell.

It spiraled from the tree before landing on the ground. She lowered herself, knees and hands in the dirt. The earth was made of broken leaves.

She scooped the soil into her hands. The smell of earth rose, thick and damp. She cradled it in her palms and walked to the tree, leaning against it. Its rough scales pressed into her skin.

Above her, branches spread into a canopy, a grid that covered the sky.

The soil sifted through her hands, falling back to the earth until a single fallen leaf remained between her fingers.

She placed it on her tongue
and swallowed.