Leaf Poem by Adrian Flett

From uppermost leaf
to root mystery beneath
we derive as four season's pass
the unnoticed unrewarded task.

Buds tightly curled in sun's rays
those swollen, bursting shoots
spread, grasp each day as they
ray by ray draw succour from the roots.

Leaf a gift freely given, beyond our choice,
we give no thought; slow to recall
how we, in spring's green, rejoice
but in autumn we let fall.

Winter leaves, they fade, fall and rot
cast aside of no further use
to be crushed under foot
each passing step an abuse.


Trees now in their nakedness,
leaves shed as their time has come.
Sun's rays filter through trees' undress
all thoughts cast aside after work is done.


So small so adept is a leaf
to be a motif beyond belief
at doing such things that man's
modern technology cannot span.