Do You Ever Wonder?

Do You Ever Wonder?

Do you ever wonder 
If maybe
Just maybe
Playing in puddles
Could shift the axis 
Of our world?

Imagine
Splashing your feet
Through a pool of chilly water
Deposited 
Into a depression
In the earth
Or black top
By autumn rains

Watch the water arc up
And tumble down
Beautiful in its transparency
Finer than the finest glass
Silkier than the corn hairs of summer

See the ripples spread
Does your jaw unclench?
Might there be a smile
Sneaking out?

Let your toes
Feel the tickle
Of the leaves
Reds, yellows, oranges
Which have
At summer's end
Come to lie at rest.

Watch their siblings
As they float 
Away from their home 
In the trees
And ride the breeze
On their journey to
 Earth.

Leave the puddle.
Can you catch
A single leaf
On your nose
Or in your hand?
Stay still even
Will one float
Over
And land upon you?

Look up
At the swaying branches
Of newfound color
Sunshine yellow
Against a sky
Painted gunmetal grey.

Splash
Catch
Receive
Gaze upon
Open your heart
To play
Allow joy
To permeate your being
If only for a moment
And feel
Or trust
that
The world has changed
Infinitesimally
Or maybe
Monumentally
for the better.
Alleluia!
Let us Play!

Patricia O'Connor