Little Leaf

A new leaf buds on an age old tree,

The welcome return of spring.

Frozen waters have broken free,

And the birds decide to sing.

As I hear the wandering bumblebee,

Lured by summer's timely fling.

I ponder the changes ahead of me,

What promise this little leaf brings.

The shadows cast, they shed a light,

A time of change befalling.

As baby birds take their first flight,

I hear their parents calling.

The days surrender to longer nights,

In fields the growth is stalling.

But life goes on, as well it might,

The creepers keep on crawling.

The little leaf, now golden brown,

It sways as the cold wind blows.

I watch it struggle, before falling down,

Compelled to finally let go.

Though the sullen tree has lost its crown,

My affinity with the little leaf grows.

For like family trees to which we are bound

We're both petals that make up the rose.