THE LAST LEAF ALWAYS IS THE BEGINNING
We watch life pass through many eyes. A baby’s first grab at a toy, that first step full of wonder and joy, eyes twinkling, cheeks grinning. The wonder of that first bicycle ride, oh the pride. Schools, grades, playgrounds, parades, friends, graduations; girlfriends, boyfriends, the engagement and then the big day!
Seasons of life pass year after year, some wear bright colors; some fade into all sorts of hues. These are the times our leaf’s change!
Can you remember the bright hope of youth? The wondering will that tiny new life wear pink or blue? Another cycle of life begins and ends, both with no set of rules.
Some grow achieving great heights; never as high as an oak or elm; both through their lives break bones or branches. Some heal, hardly a scar; others wounded beyond repair. Crippled, crumpled, raggedy, wrinkled, still sprouting new lives; tiny leaves struggling to survive another season of life!
For some like blossoms you’ll find yourself bursting with joy only to be cut down as though fire has destroyed paired trees. Pain so great you can hardly breathe through the smoke of dreams. God has brought you to your knees. Why you ask, begging until at last even knees give out, leveling you back to dirt to root again.
Barren, you’ve nothing left or so you think; it’s then and only then that silence begins. Quiet at first; then a silent crying screaming tears heard by no one but you and God. It’s only when you’ve crawled on your belly till it’s raw that your willing to listen to God at all. Here is where healing begins; sap dry’s on tree trunks, tears dry in one’s heart; here is the true reality that all are of God’s making. There in is lays the birth of the last leaf is the new beginning.
It’s in the knowing that a child was born who gave his life that I would live. It was never said no one would suffer in this life. It was said that in faith he who died for me gives me eternal life. I pray that I’m worthy of this sacrifice.
The last leaf IS the new beginning.
Rachealgrace Adams…..12/14/10…..(c)……….
NATURES UNDERSTANDINGS
Falls scent tells me seasons are about to change;
the correlation of life, nature and man’s begins.
Leaves pale green golden tipped;
beneath summer sandaled feet break like dried yellow chips.
A tree’s shape changes; we see alterations
fruitlessly trying to explain the meaning of life?
Footprints in sand, god gave men a free hand;
what happens in between lays within each man?
Nature seeds birth. Mothers hold hands.
Nature allows weeds to interplay.
For man and nature, it’s a struggle surviving droughts;
painful disappointments, necessary changes for preordained results.
Some never glean strong foundations; plants not attended wither and die.
Peace fills my secret summer garden of dreams long dreamt.
Do we recognize the fullness of what’s been given?
Rain gutters gush from monsoon rains, blooms drenched; drooping.
What first appears a tragedy; stands taller from a drying sun.
Growth struggles through life, autumn comes.
Before winter creatures gather their harvest,
nature shares; have you noticed that?
Cycles define life; man’s not always in line with nature.
Spring, summer, fall and winter define life and death.
Clouds today a reminder of tears shed.
In falls wind birds dart, not sure of directions yet.
Winters next; that cold bleak sometimes-dark part of life,
we grieve what’s past, dread and dream of spring again.
Here lies the connection between nature and man;
tears like rain, summers fullness; fall the changes come,
winters dead calm reminding us life renews again.
Nature understands seasons have no regrets.
Oh, that we could say the same.
Rachealgrace Adams………11/09/10………©………………
