Lessons on Leaf Lorn Logs

There were lessons

left on leaf-lorn logs

in lost languages

but leaning between the lines

he believed the Beloved

had begun a better

and necessary day

longing and belonging

for community and comfort

beneath and between

the Birch and the Beech

the Walnut and the Willow

and the grace-like story

of the understory

and the Moss and the Maple leaves

and all the wildland woods

had begun to tell a tale

of Winter's Rest

Growing Old

I heard John Burroughs

in the Autumn woods today

he said

“How beautifully leaves grow old.

How full of light and color are their last days.”

and I could not disagree

not if I wanted to

But after their light is dimmed

and after their color faded

Autumn leaves still grow old beautifully

becoming Winter leaves with

the common decency to leave

some of themselves behind

I hope to grow old like that