Allegory of Leaf

Allegory of a Leaf /~ ~~~~\ / \ / \ / A leaf \ / sprouts from branch \ / of a tree during the vernal \ / season of birth, grows in spring \ / sweet sunshine carefree and cherishes \ / rains on earth. In summer, it reaches mid \ I age, braves the sizzling sunshine of midday, \ I fury of winds blowing with rage and learns at \ I the sky soon to gaze. It now unveils its full glory, \ I turns sunlight to food for the tree, offers shade to \ I spin a story and with fleeting breeze hums its plea. \ I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I I In autumn, it turns yellow and is blown by the breeze, I I mainly to kiss the lowly ground, rarely to reach the sky I I at ease. In winter, capped with hoary snow it seeks just I \ to merge with the soil, as the story of lifecycle does show. / \ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ / \ But soon new leaf will sprout afresh during the season / \ of birth to preserve the kingdom of nature and to be / \ perpetually blest by the will of the almighty Creator. / \ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ / \ / \ So is human life, that like a leaf, takes birth in spring / \ season, shines in summer for a transient while / \ but starts withering during the autumn season / \ soon to be blown down by autumn wind. / \ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ / \ When the body turns wintry cold / \ new birth perpetuates creation / \ to supersede what / \ has turned / \ old. / \ / \ ~ I~ / ~