Leaves of a chestnut tree

Abandoned palaces of red brick-coarse cement
terracotta
homes of the fled-
when pestilence came it did not discriminate
when life failed-
dreams were shattered
what could have been became nothing
promises-
ties made to a land that was all theirs
born unto
but circumstance prevailed
and all that is left
are the fallen leaves
now gold-
rotten
of the chestnut trees