The Leaf

Colored in vibrant gold and reds, the leaf remains in place on its branch. The sole survivor of yesterday's spring. Why this leaf? What inner resolve has kept this leaf attached to the tree? Its brothers and sisters have all given up the ghost. They have fallen to the musty soil beneath the tree damp with winters rain. Some were crushed beneath the feet of children running through the yard, role playing on a Saturday afternoon. Some were pressed between the pages of a favorite book. A few were gathered into bouquets and presented to mothers by tiny children with dirty faces. But with tenacity this leaf remains alone in the sky clinging to its branch. A gentle reminder that all the creatures of creation have a spirit within them that embraces the beauty and joy of life.