NEW LEAF

common root, reaching
for the same sky,
each new leaf

opens itself
to a different world,
yet mirrors

in its very veins
the entire tree itself.

                   to which it gives

the distilled light
it gathers,
the willing gift

of its soul, life
for the limb, the blossoms.

                   and each leaf

lives on in them, beyond
the stark beauty of autumn,
made new

when the tree awakens
and opens its hands
yet again.

(happy 20th anniversary)