High up in the canopy of the forest
Where the stalk of a great tree is the strongest
On the stalk of the tree, a new leaf is born
Softer than a rose deprived of a thorn
But time could not permit it to stay forever
For it aged and will be missed more than ever
From the great tree, down the leaf fell
For a reason, we all can tell
And every leaf it landed on asked: "Where are you going?"
It answers, sure and always.
"Where all good leaves go when they stop glowing."
But the winds could not permit it to stop
For it aged and up in the air to drop
Finally, the ground landed.
For a reason was surrounded.
And every leaf already there asked: "Where are you from?"
It answers, sure and always.
"Where all good leaves come from when they feel numb."
Not once was the name of the great tree mentioned
Yet there was a need for the leaf to be questioned
For all leaves are leaves.
And all trees are trees.
High up in the canopy of the forest
Where the stalk of a great tree is the strongest
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Author Notes
In the poem's context, the setting is the forest, where the leaf's journey takes place. The poem explores the timeless and universal theme of life, aging, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It invites the reader to contemplate the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.
The subject matter revolves around the journey of a leaf, from its birth on a tree to its falling and eventually its grounding on the forest floor.
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