A Red Leaf in the Garden

It looked to be a leaf from last fall
bright red maroon burgundy maple
yes, it was a mix of those colors, not in parts
but a beautiful blended gift of the creator
gracing my return from the grocery store
a bit of wild color flashing amid the brown,
dead oak leaves, hummus of last year, becoming dirt
This tattered and frayed lone bit of fall
uncovered after the April showers
a stark contrast to the newborn green of spring
a friendly reminder of the cycle of nature
of the birthing, the growing, the glorious dying
a red leaf in the garden,
I think I will move it higher
for all to see

April 29, 2008