Sundial Story After Candis J Brown A Little Leaf Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

I woke to crystal hieroglyph
frost coated carpet landscape while,
with smile espied on bright snowdrift
a little leaf sundial.

Leaf fell from mighty oak that stood
just five and forty feet away,
it lay not lifeless, cold withstood,
wood's message would convey.

Sol's chariot bold helped tale unfold
in time with shadows dancing:
time flew, new old turned, story told,
dial's second thoughts advancing.

'I twigged from woodland's tallest tree
from spring through summer wind and rain,
held, shelled, belled dewdrops sparkling free
that to fresh air returned again.

When shimm'ring sun spread simmering heat
I offered cooling shade,
as fall brocade changed, Nature's beat
turned coat, made color fade.

When winter wind began to blow
oak cloak shed, leaves fell one by one,
although I was the last to go,
mission accomplished, done.

I, late last night, by gusty force
into sharp blast was cast,
my time, with not the least recourse,
came to an end at last.

With ruby dawn sun rose streaked sky
I found myself on snow surround,
saw sparks reflected back on high,
all round glowed crystals crowned.

I realized that someday soon
snow must melt, felt Nature's refrain,
sap rising spell cast gifting boon
of life's renewal once again.'

It cheered once weary heart to see
that little leaf upon the snow,
and mused on leaves that fall from tree
as seasons come and go.

I thought about that mighty oak
which stood not far away,
evoking coffin when Fate's stroke
may carry me off some day.