There are leaves in the Garden of Gethsemane
that grow old, wither, die, and fall to the ground.
Joseph walked among them.
She waited with fearful longing,
her face, filled with joy,
her hands, trembling with fear.
She whispered words, like falling leaves,
carrying Joseph’s heart to the earth.
He did not take his eyes from her face.
He walked about in her dark eyes,
walked among the trees of the garden,
tasted the fruit of the vine;
drinking deep intoxicating draughts.
Her hands stilled,
she smiled.
He raised his eyes to the heavens,
burst into laughter,
and shattered the starry night!

We do not know much else about Joseph –
he was a leaf in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Winter/Christmas – 1988, Las Vegas, Nevada