Leaves

                                                      

In summer, leaves so lush and lovely upon the trees 

provide shade and beautiful shadows 

with varied colors of green

Then seasons change, and their color

turns from green to a brilliant red, yellow and orange

And the leaves begin to fall away 

Covering  damp ground like a quilted blanket

(only to be raked into piles, and bagged)

Leaving the Redbud and Mock Cherry and Maple

with empty, barren branches; 

to stand alone through another winter