"Until I’m A New Green Leaf" by Sharon Liao

I feel the breeze amidst the branch

lightly blowing my tip from side to side 

I watch from outside the neighbor’s home

Each day

when the sun rises, children run outside

abandoning their summer flip flops and T-shirts 

for wool sweaters and jackets 

That’s when I know 

the new season has fallen 

As September approaches

my vibrant green layers become 

tints of red and yellow 

My fellow squirrel friends

find haven below me 

September then turned into October with

my yellow features 

turning into bright orange 

I mimic a pumpkin 

The night of Halloween, 

a chill creeps into my core 

As kids in zombie and Disney princess costumes 

run about for candy 

a harsh gust swooshes through the town

bringing along a trail of leaves 

once belonging to my tree 

That’s when I know 

it would soon be my time to leave 

Each passing day in November 

comes with a freezing chatter in my soul 

My once orange self 

slowly becomes withered along the edges

while more leaves fall to the ground 

I am one of few who

remain on the once blooming maple tree

Rakes scratch the lawn beneath me

and a brown wilted pile emerges 

The wind hasn’t led me to my end yet

but a sense of loneliness washes over me

Now, I’m the only leaf residing on my branch 

I long my vibrant blossoms 

and I miss the other leaves 

Together, we stood so bravely 

becoming a valiant standing tree 

Out of the blue,

a gale blows through the gray sky 

My body starts shaking 

and I slowly drift to the ground 

blending with the other scattered counterparts 

Although I’m sad to leave my maple branch 

a sense of relief washes over me

I am raked into that same leaf pile

and I can finally be reunited with the others

The end of fall

and the upcoming new year 

will bring new beginnings

I can only wait 

until I am reborn 

A new green leaf blossoming on my maple tree