With Each Step

The leaf floats on the river. Untouched. The current of the water pushes it where it wishes for it to go.
The leaf has no part in deciding it's path. Contentment was possible in the water, but without a voice, it has no chance to say.
The leaf bothered no one, but it bothered you.
The leaf washed up on the shore, you stepped on it and it stuck to your shoe. 
The leaf was stomped on,
with.each.step.
The leaf might be happy with being untouched and alone, but instead it reached out, onto the shore....for you.
You didn't even see it there.
You maimed the leaf till it was unrecognizable.
Nature's beauty destroyed by narcissism.
Your narcissism.
Never again can the leaf float contently toward the shore, when not even it's own gardener takes notice in it's outreach.
You broke it. Smothered it. Destroyed it.
with.each.step.