Tremble, Leaves

Tremble, leaves, in the trees
Because the ground so close,
The sky so far, so much promise
In the sun, despite the death below,

The matting on the floor,
Wrapping all the breath
Of coming summer
In the air, the understory,

So much space to breach
In half a year, in the glare
Of winter’s grace, nothing
Out of reach, nothing

Ever clear, all the days
That go to waste
Just twirling in the blaze,
The end of youth,

The fear of falling
From the very peak, the height
Of reaching out for sun,
For youth, for light,

For seasons done;
Or maybe aspens quake
Not for any reason,
But just to shake.

February 25th, 2023
Kaiholu

July 19th, 2023
Magnolia