Edwin Cordero

Who would believe that a leaf holds such power
As to influence the quality of one's daily hours?
So repugnant is the nature of what we admire
That it determines the fate of all held truly ours.

You, leaf, dictate our lives to such a degree
That even husbands and wives may be determined by thee.
The young man who bangs leaves out of an old lady's tree,
And the young woman whose lips in deed cause ecstasy.

We may never comprehend the extent to which this mechanism controls us.
Inequality's reign never ends—as it remains impervious.
You know which alternative could be glorious?
If we all, one day, burned down the forest.