Take the Lead

God does not always respond the way one expects. Its branches dressed in luscious green leaves From the young look of the spring season The cherry blossom tree had lost its sheen, The petals of its flowers faded spread around its feet. Of its pink blossoms, it had been so proud Spreading their sweet fragrance thereabout Attracting couples young and old to sprawl Expressing their love, such joy all about. Now fewer people came by and when they did Walked on by without even looking at it It felt so alive in the presence of love, what a gift! Had wanted this feeling never to end, but it did. Said a little prayer to its Maker Asked Him if he could bring back the flowers It seemed to make people so happy But nothing happened, and the tree felt lonely. One day a young woman came by She sat at its feet and began to cry The tree felt in her the same sadness of loss And wished it could comfort her somehow. Said a little prayer again to its Maker Asked Him how he could bring joy to her A little wind began to blow suddenly As if the Maker acknowledged its plea. Its current detached one of its leaves That fell on her right cheek upon a tear With her fingers, she caught the leaf Palm open, she looked at it without a speech. A smile spread on her pink lips For she saw in it a special gift She wiped her face with the leaf And turned her face up to the tree. With a sparkle in her eyes, she said sweetly, “Thank you. You lost all your flowers recently Yet you gave me a gift of hope with this leaf I know now I can take the lead.” By CarolineCécile, April 24, 2009.