Leaf in Ice

In my first winter at school, I was walking the
winding path down to the entrance. There was snow
on the ground and the path was thick with ice.

Children shuffled ahead of me and behind.

Something on the path caught my eye.

It was a brown autumn leaf - a big spayed-out
chestnut leaf. It was held in the transparent ice
beneath my feet, perfectly preserved, perfectly
displayed.

I stared down at this wonder and have never
forgotten it.