Leaves

May we all be held and free

like leaves grown from one ancient tree.

Deep rooted and steady, unwary of winds,

Unmoved when leaves fly off as their season bids.

Deep rooted and certain

as storms rage unabated,

Knowing without doubt:

All leaves go where they're fated.

Unafraid of the movement

in the deep, dampened soil.

Unchallenged by wild birds

as they rest and they toil.

Unburdened by nests,

Welcoming of hives,

Witness to creation and its infinite lives.

May we all be held

by roots deep as the earth,

and fall lighter than leaves

as they feather the hearth

while they crackle in fires

grown by broken branches,

and stoked by earth-dwellers

bent down in their hunches.

All huddled together,

One serving the other,

Receiving in cycles

as they come, go and gather.

All held and all free,

All loved without purpose.

All welcome, all nurtured

Upon this Earth's surface.

Photo by Oliver Hihn on Unsplash