"THE LIFE OF LEAF"
-David Clure

One lime green bud
sprouted atop
The maple tree,
From one small twig,
on one small branch,
This leaf had come to be.

Fresher than Spring,
delicate as
a new born thing -
This maple leaf
From one small twig
kept growing, growing

Until one day
When Autumn's sky
was harsh  and gray,
When winds commenced
their blowing and
Emerald hues gave way

To fiery reds,
And sun-kissed yellows,
Pumpkin orange 
All of whom October
Soon would bronze

Then dry and frail
As a silvered saint
This leaf snapped free
and to the ground
it went.

That's when I raked
this ancient, gnarled
Friend away.

Copyright 2007  David CLURE from his book "Norwood Night & Other Poems.