The Life of a Leaf

Born a bud that sprouts in spring,
Bred to reign on branches limbs.
More come out as blue birds sing,
Fed by rain that enhances them.

Stretching out to fill space bare.
Growing with the glowing sun.
Catching dew drops everywhere.
Showing off for everyone.

A colorfully vibrant vestal throng,
Eventual loss of pollen's squeeze.
A visually brightened minstrel song,
Perpetual cause of cough and sneeze.

Waving gently in summer winds.
Providing cover and wanton shade.
Lying limply till autumn begins,
Striving to hover, wanting to stay.

Turning yellow, orange then brown,
Changing colors, before our eyes.
Burning torches without sounds,
Painting summer's waning skies.

Beckoned from birth by nature's call,
Desperately hoping to hang around
One by one to earth they fall.
Silently floating to the ground.

Gathered in piles, raked and blown,
A child's source of pleasured play,
Mulched and bagged, spread and sewn,
Most of course just withered decay.

Those that last just lie around,
Vie for relief of winter's end.
As seasons pass, Spring comes to town.
The Life of a Leaf begins again.



Copyright © November 2009
Kevin Mooney

kmm001
111809