Advancing time brings chill of fall
As tree by tree heeds autumn’s call
Bright colors burn and set the trend
Of trading life for gloried end
Their leaves break off and twirl to ground
Compete with snow for lack of sound
Atop an oak of fiery hue
One grips on high, stark growth framed blue
It hears its’ kin each free their hold
To winds that prod; take heart, be bold!
They spin away to paths unknown
At times at night can hear them moan
But some call up, of wonders tell
Cloak fate with an enticing veil
Our leaf it knows its' end is near
But off its tree there’s much to fear
Yet by and by if it does wait
Will just dry brown and dissipate
The bare old oak then interferes
With wisdom of one hundred years:
“If free to blow there’s much that may,
As fortune goes, just come your way...
The choice is yours- give life a chance,
Or stay here safe; forgo the dance."
Our trembling leaf then quiets dread,
And gathers strength for what’s ahead
To all it knows it bids goodbye,
A breath, then off -‘tween earth and sky...
A soft wet day, a child’s feet,
A pause, a look, a small hands heat.
With eyes aglow from morning sun,
Clear voice declares: “I’ve found the one!”
This perfect leaf of wondrous shade,
It was to last forever made
The leaf then felt; as pressed, unfurled,
Most beautiful in all the world