Sometimes poetry is able to capture our sentiments better than long explanations. I hope this poem reaches you in this way.

Ascendance

I saw the autumn leaves

slowly falling down,

until a gust of faithful wind

saved one from the ground.

Had the leaf had a mind

I’d wager it was thinking,

“I’ll soon be there with all the rest

should I continue sinking.”

But as his branch lived life was

coming to an end,

a caring breeze, the breath of life

made the leaf ascend.

It lifted that leaf higher and higher,

higher than before,

and upon that breeze

life’s breath whispered,

“You’ve known life abundantly,

now dare to know it more.”

“Life on the branch was good” said the leaf,

“I thought I had it made.

But I’d never know this glorious flight

if on the branch I’d stayed.”

Never lose heart and never lose faith,

even when falling down.

The times when heart and faith count most,

are those spent near the ground.

We the Leaves

Maybe you have days when you feel like the leaf. I know I do. I hope your breeze comes and carries you to lofty heights.

Artwork by Sandra Koenders

Sandra is a wonderful artist with whom I have worked over the last three years. She often doodles, leaving beautiful renderings of flowers, trees, and as you see here, leaves.

© 2018 Leland Johnson

Comments

Leland Johnson (author) from Midland MI on September 03, 2018:

Audrey- Thank you for such kind words so well put. The poem is a lesson I need to remind myself of now and then despite my having written it. I'm really glad you liked it, from one artist to another.

Audrey Hunt from Idyllwild Ca. on September 02, 2018:

Such a beautiful message and lesson. Like the leaf, staying comfortably on lifes branch, prevents us from experiencing our own flight. I love this metaphor. Thank you, Leland.

Leland Johnson (author) from Midland MI on September 01, 2018:

Yes indeed! Thank you for reading and commenting Ms. Dora :)

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on August 30, 2018:

So close to the end, and then restored. It brings to my mind, "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27) Inspiring!

Leland Johnson (author) from Midland MI on August 28, 2018:

Hi Paula, thank you for reading and commenting- I'm glad you like it!

Suzie from Carson City on August 28, 2018:

Leland......Perfect Title because this wonderful poetry certainly does uplift! Peace, Paula

Leland Johnson (author) from Midland MI on August 28, 2018:

Thank you Flourish, and I'll pass the kind word along to the artist :)

FlourishAnyway from USA on August 28, 2018:

That’s a beautiful poem and her drawings are gorgeous.