Dropping Leaves

2 Corinthians 3:2 – “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.”

Dropping Leaves
By Nina Rose Hall

I stood in the midst of a forest,

Its many trees rose toward the sky.

I wondered what kind each tree could be.

Beginning to search for sign,

–

A single leaf fluttered quietly down

And landed to rest at my feet.

With just a glance, a moment’s gaze,

I knew what its nature would be.

–

The leaf, so firm and green proclaimed

Just what this tree would do,

And all its leaves would testify:

“This tree is strong and true.”

–

Another leaf went swirling past,

And curious of its source,

I couldn’t help but see its texture –

Rough, and dry, and coarse.

–

It spoke to me of branches

that were dying, drained of life;

– Neglected in its care –

This open evidence was rife.

–

Then as the whispering wind swelled all the more;

These forest secrets littered the ground.

Each revealed something to all –

The nature of their roots to resound.

–

One by one fell the messages,

Notes so plainly read.

Some were kind, and pure, and selfless;

Some to joy and goodness led.

–

Others spoke of pride, and selfishness,

Laziness, or greed.

These clues, unknowingly unveiled

To all, each tree’s true need.

–

Then the winds turned south their course

And blew hard from behind me.

All at once I peered down through

My frail branches, timidly.

–

Carried away in whirling gusts,

My leaves flew through the forest.

Dropping hints, to all around

The state in which my heart rests.

–

Grappling to stop it all,

The leaves still eluded my grasp.

My life, in bits and pieces,

Had swiftly been broadcast.

–

Then peering closer at the clues

I’d examined well before,

I saw that some of them were mine

That lined the forest floor.

–

And the realization grew in me

That each of us drops leaves,

Ours are read by those we know,

And in turn, theirs, we perceive.

–

Alertly read the actions, words

And attitudes left by others.

But also know that yours will fall

and surely be discovered.

~

Matthew 7:20 –

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”