life of a tree

you were a seed
a long, long time ago
your only needs
were water and the sun
between soil and sky
was your earthly home
and the life of a tree
had begun

fall freezes to winter
winter thaws into spring
and you pay attention
to all that surrounds you
soon branches and leaves
and birds on the wing
in the life of a tree
nature astounds you

young leaves grow green
and wave in the wind
but old ones turn orange
and crimson and brown
come autumn they'll never
rest on branches again
in the life of a tree
colors fall down

but spring comes again
and up rise the flowers
and the birds and squirrels
children growing like weeds
you witness the mystery
of sunshine and showers
in the life of a tree
that began with a seed