Life Cycle of a Leaf

Fresh spring green was I when first born Upon a sunny late March morn But a deeper emerald I became Drenched by April’s pounding rain All summer long I held my own Granting reprieves with shadows thrown For picnics I provided shade Feeling such joy as children played But bodies change as seasons pass Now multi-hues I have amassed Yellow, amber and crimson red But I still hung as others fled The nearby oak is now stripped bare Upon the soil my mates lay there Maple leaves too have joined the pile And I’m the last to stay awhile Many colors adorn below Paths where fall hikers like to go I’m in God’s hands; he holds the keys But oh, dear Lord, here comes a breeze *20 lines