A Leaf

A LEAF To feed a tree I grasp Old Sol‘s energy Using chlorophyll and carotene, Which to you look green. Absorbed by me, which you cannot see, Light energies yellow, red, and blue Are converted into chemistry, producing a tree From ground-mined water and air-born CO2 Forming flowers, seeds, branches, life-giving O2, And leaves like me too. Now in the fall, from trees tall, Nary a word do I utter As downward I quietly flutter, Giving up the ghost From my summertime host. Pals and I wave good-by Such as to a Maple fellow Who lost his green and now shows yellow, And my friend, Ash, on a gentle glide, Shows true color purple inside. Mighty Oak, on the way to the ground, Ha! Just plain old brown! Whoops, too soon I spoke; Cousin of his I see just as red as me! Then their’s old Sassy-brass named Sassafras With magnificent rainbow Of red, orange, yellow. Times before in days of yore, We suffered mass cremations Rapidly finalizing life cessation. But now we lie onto Mother earth From whence came my tree’s birth. I leave behind a legacy To prolong my family tree. With renewal like me, same blood. For lack of a better name, We’ll just call him “Bud”. . .