An Infinite Number

As I have got some heavy counting to do.

I want some help from you.

How many is an Infinite Number?

Is it as many as there are stars just out of reach?

Is it as many as grains of sand on the beach?

I know it is a lot, but how many?

Is it more than the days the universe is old?

Is infinite more than all the stories ever told?

Can you give me an idea where to start?

Is it more than all the insects on earth?

Or is it all the children here from birth?

I have some clear numbering to do.

Infinity must be a lot, I guess.

I find the size a puzzle I confess.

But tell me quick as I face a major task

Is it more than we spend on war?

Is it more than the entire world poor?

If so, it must be a lot.

I think infinite is the about the right amount

for the yellow locust leaves I have to count.

And infinite time is what the count will take.

The first yellow leaf falls mid July.

It drops slowly with grace, a bit shy.

Then they fall like water from a broken dam.

One, two, three easy to count.

Then cascading numbers mount.

More and more tumble down each day.

I need something the size of infinite

to tell you the cleaning task I face.

My entire yard blanketed with little yellow leaves.

I blow them away each day.

Clean patio means they cannot stay.

But they are more than back anyway.

So here is the score with those yellow markers

They win as they are persistent charmers

One day the last yellow leaf falls.

Mark the calendar date clear

They will be back again year.

And their return defines infinity.

Doug Minnis

September 26,2010