It Seems Only Yesterday…

It seems only yesterday that he was just a bud, forming slowly as the winter days grew longer. With the coming of spring and that oh so slight increase in temperature, he started to plump up more, as a pregnant creature might, and ultimately he broke free like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Just a tiny thing at first, growing almost imperceptibly and with that beautiful lime green colour that heralds the arrival of spring.

His siblings broke out all around him and together they adorned the tree that was their host, bringing a freshness of tone and shade, and bringing new life to the woodlands. As spring progressed and summer arrived, his colour deepened into a darker, richer shade of green and creatures regularly used him as shade and shelter……some even used parts of him as food, nibbling his edges. Sunshine, winds and rain came in turn, attacking him constantly. The wind beat him crazily against the surrounding branches, it was like a fairground ride, both exhilarating and scary at the same time. He wondered what the health and safety leaf would say about it. The sun attempted to burn him! But he stood his ground, proudly enhancing the woodland and living out the purpose for which he knew he had been born.

People came and went below him, he could hear their voices, and their pleasing praises for his colour. Children climbed through the branches, scuffing against him as they did so, almost crushing him with their feet. But still he held firm!

Summer passed and autumn arrived and gradually his deep green started to take on a warmer hue. His friends all around him were changing too, turning ever so slowly to shades of orange, brown and red until the green had disappeared completely. He was tired now, and as the autumn winds came, he struggled to maintain his grip on the twig which had been his home. Little by little he began to lose his strength until finally, one fateful day, he could hold on no more and he gave himself over to the mercy of the wind. He let go!

He drifted softly to the ground below the tree where he formed a part of an ever growing carpet that covered the earth. He had lived his life well, played his part in beautifying the countryside, and now his time was over…….but not completely. Even now, his usefulness continues as he lays decaying and in that very decaying he provides a feast of leaf mould that will feed the tree and bring out another generation of fresh new growth when spring comes around again. His children and his grandchildren will follow him.

His life on the tree is over and it seemed so short. He was once a new leaf – it seems only yesterday!

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time,
Your friend
The Dorset Rambler

If you would like to contact me, my email address is terry.yarrow@gmail.com – comments and feedback are always welcomed.

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