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ONE OAK LEAF
I watched an oak leaf fall today…watched it leap off the tree without making a sound…
I watched it float and spin and flutter…until it landed on the ground.
I ran to where that oak leaf landed…where I was relieved…
to see that oak leaf had come to rest…on a cluster of maple leaves.
“Are you okay?” I asked the oak leaf…”That was a long drop and you’re so small.”
“I’m fine.” The oak leaf said. “I have friends who I knew would catch me when I fall.”
“But I see only maple leaves.” I remarked.
“There’s not another oak leaf anywhere around.
“How did you know the maple leaves would bring you softly to the ground?”
The oak leaf gave me a quizzical look…I think we was beguiled…
while at the same time all the maple leaves looked at me and smiled.
“We are all part of nature.” The oak leaf said. “We are nature one and all.
It is our job…our pleasure as part of nature…to catch each other when we fall.”
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment.” the oak leaf said. “I haven’t got much time to play.
you see a poplar leaf just left her tree…
and I think she’s falling our way.
I left that oak leaf with the maples so they could do their job…
Wondering…as today for people all over the world we grieve…
how wonderful it would be if we humans…
were as intelligent and compassionate as the leaves.
“I didn’t have time to thank that oak leaf because when I turned around
he was busy with his maple leaf friends…
helping that poplar leaf land softly on the ground.
