Falling Leaves

Nazim Hikmet

Falling Leaves

I've read about falling leaves in fifty thousand
   poems novels and so on
watched leaves falling in fifty thousand movies
seen leaves fall fifty thousand times
   fall drift and rot
felt their dead shush shush fifty thousand times
   underfoot in my hands on my fingertips
but I'm still touched by falling leaves
   especially those falling on boulevards
   especially chestnut leaves
   and if kids are around
   if it's sunny
   and I've got good news for friendship
especially if my heart doesn't ache
and I believe my love loves me
especially if it's a day I feel good about people
   I'm touched by falling leaves
especially those falling on boulevards
especially chestnut leaves.

6. September 1961, Leipzig