Fresh Leaves One and Two

Fresh Leaves I Ev'ry poem I write is a leaf on soul's tree, If it never gets light, a reflection of me. When leaves do catch a ray, then that energy stored, For the rose that might bloom, if its heart gets explored. And just like a bud is each poem's new birth, There's a beauty, a fragrance that springs from the earth, It's more than genetics; it's climate as well, It's a gardener's love that helps petals to swell. Fresh leaves have the power to make nature sing, Verdant backdrop that seems to frame each rooted thing, Possibilities rest on sharp edge of a knife, Until God in His Grace gives a blessing to life! Long Tooth Oct 17, 2017 Fresh Leaves II Ev'ry poem I write is fresh leaf on soul's tree, If it never gets light, a reflection on me. When leaves do catch a ray, then that energy’s stored, Flowers rise from the fray when their hearts get explored. First, a bud is each verse, rose’s possible birth, Then comes beauty diverse; fragrance springs from the earth, For it’s more than just genes; climate’s influence told, It's a gardener's means that shape colors this bold. For fresh leaves draw the juice that can make us all sing, Backdrop verdant but loose, to frame each blossoming, Possibilities rest on sharp edge of a knife, Until God, at His best, gives His blessing to life! Long Tooth Oct 17, 2017 Poet's Note: So which version do you like best? The motivation for the rewrite was the first two lines of "Fresh Leaves I." I was charmed by the midline rhyme of the first two lines and challenged myself to duplicate this "form" through the rest of the poem. I think it's much better myself! Comments welcome!