When Leaves Fall

When leaves unwillingly fall
in response to wind’s whisper and call,
the oak weeps,
as he knows the laws of give and take:
today the wind brushes his face and gives,
tomorrow takes away his leaves.
With a scarred trunk and baren limbs
at the mercy of time he stands
with a broken heart but full of strength,
for, he knows the passing of the years
will bring other seasons
and he will heal, be whole once again.
Now, the wind’s call still lingers
and his soul to the leaves cling,
but tomorrow
he’ll look towards the horizon and see
the saplings and other trees
thriving, in spite of suffering’s intense blows.
In that instance, the air fills with grace
and feeds the heart’s empty space.

Bernadete vdw, ’25