Do You Worry or Simply Accept?
There is wisdom
To be found
In the quiet
Of the forest
The shadow
Of the beech leaf
Imposes itself upon the maple
A dark ovoid shape
With a peak hole
Through which
Shines a beam of light
The image
Swishes
With staccato grace
Across the five-pointed leaf
Leaving no trace
Of where it has touched
Like an eclipse
It blocks the sun
As it gives way
To the gentle breeze
Maple leaf
Living high above the earth
Do you feel the shadow?
Does the coolness
Of its shade
Relieve you
Or cause you despair?
Are you as content
And accepting
As you appear
Attached as you are
By your stem
Clinging to the twig
Joined to the branch
Growing out from the trunk
Touching the earth
And digging deeply
With steadfast roots
Penetrating down
To reach the same water
That trickles by
In the creek beside the tree
Do you feel the branch
Swing down
Under the weight
Of the female cowbird?
Can you sense
The movement
Of the tiny legs
Of the bright-eyed insect
Wisping across your surface?
Do you worry
Or simply accept
Your veins will
Bring you nourishment
So you might carry on
Shading, protecting, sustaining
Restoring the air
Which we breathe
Removing the toxins
And supplying oxygen
For as long as
Your life allows?
And, at summer’s end,
Do you mourn
As your green color
Morphs
To yellow, or orange
Or red
Setting off
A breathtaking display
Of foliage
Then releasing your grasp
You fall to the earth
Or do you accept your death
In order that you might give life
In a different manner?
I think you do
My wise friend.
I think you do.
Crumbs for the Journey 