Leaves

Daddy, oh Daddy? 
Why do the leaves fall? 
Where do they go?
Are they angry with the tree?
They look so happy to fall 
Look at them leaping from 
The branches they once clung to! 

Daddy, oh Daddy? 
Why do some fall sooner than the others? 
Why do they fall at all Daddy? 
Why do they change colour? 
I really don’t understand. 

No my love, they aren’t angry
They aren’t happy either 
The leaves change colour as they grow older
And they have to fall 
To make room for the baby leaves
Some fall sooner because it’s time for a new leaf,
Or simply because they just don’t fit.
They don’t really leave the tree
They fall to the ground at the roots
And become one with the soil
That nourishes the tree.
It’s a whole new adventure for these leaves
Jumping off their comfort zone
You wouldn’t want a life without adventure, would you my pet? 


Christina De Silva 
12 November 2009