Leaves of Memory
The old tree was on fire-
Like sixty autumns before it-
It still took the old man’s breath away-
As under its fiery branches he again turned to sit-
The cool fall air refreshed him like many times before-
The sweet and fragrant aroma of the drifting leaves-
Still lifted his soul to soar-
He lifted his tired eyes to look over the scene-
The beauty and the memories flooded like a wave so serene-
In this very tree with his brother he’d climb-
Playing pirates at sea,losing track of time-
He and his favorite dog chasing around-
“Come find me girl” and she would excitedly, after him, bound-
Under this tree his lips’ first kiss-
Awkward at first, then flowing with passion’s deep list-
Not too long after he buried his dog-
Her grave in sight still hurts after so long-
In this spot, he married his girl,-
As the leaves swirled ‘round, presided by Reverend Earl-
Their children here they used to play-
And they too would lose track of time of day-
Under this tree so much has been seen-
All the love, all the sorrows, all that has been-
In its branches rest many nests-
He can’t help feeling that his was loved the best-
Maybe one day his bones will come to rest-
Under the mighty tree that burns the brightest yet-
