L is for Leaf

The Needles

The deciduous fall.

Every year, we watch them. As is their nature, they unfurl and drink in the sun. Through long days of warmth, they revel in their bodies, joyful and complete in their surety of purpose.

Irrevocably though, as with all things, when the warm days ebb, they begin to change, moving toward their own end. At first, the alteration in their color alarms them, ignorant as they are of their nature. Seeing the same change happening to them all, most come to find peace in their brethren and their place. It's a beautiful ending.

We see this happen. The cold and darkness always come, so as we've always done, we hold close to ourselves and stay green. Deep down we know there is unfulfilled potential inside us all that could unfurl to drink up the sun. We've seen it in the deciduous, but as is our nature, we sacrifice that potential, our community endures, and we do not fall.