Benched

Naked trees
Missing 
Their autumn leaves

Chimney stacks 
Fuming

A protest to 
     - cold, dreary days
     - grey, lifeless skies
     - duty ... keeping noxious gases at bay
     - feeling stuck

We too 
Wish to 
Jump into piles of leaves
Play catch with the breeze
Make mud pies and acorn owls

Instead ...

We watch
With envious glee
The ruckus of activity

As our children
Take off ... smokin'
Gone with the wind