18th Dec 2017
Lost In Autumn
Born in springtime,
mama tree pushed you out
a brand new bud.
delicate baby on bare branch,
you unfurled - sweet, sacred promise.
Life water and nutrients absorbed
from the blood of ancestors fed you
roots reached down into times unknown
you, in turn, produced sugar sap
nourishment for your tree.
In the rays of the sun,
you opened up,
danced and dallied
through the summer
of your life,
strong veins forming
your particular self shape -
you.
Happiness and hope you gifted
to those who wandered your wood
fruitful, filled, days,
some, satiated by your colour, your light
went away refreshed, replenished
you, only being yourself,
unaware how your warmth
touched those souls.
It was your time, your season -
with others you wove
a soft web of wonder,
waving from your branch ,
bestowing magic on all
who wanted to see.
So, when the cold came
and your green grew dim
Your sparkle diminished
it was hard to take.
Signs of yellowing
took us by surprise,
halted us in our tracks.
With shortening days,
orange specks appeared
and the weakening began
your edges getting brittle ,
other leaves falling
dropping to the ground
all around .
Suddenly
it was your turn,
reluctantly
you let go ,
fluttered to the earth,
you died in the autumn
as it was right that you should,
but it was hard.
