The Leaf

Cross Currents, Fall, 2003 by Peter Ledermann

THE LEAF

   I found a bright leaf half yellow half red
   laid to rest on its mossy green bed
   halfway in this world halfway in the light
   the spirit of the thing now coming in sight

   Down by the side of the path where I walk
   the tiniest daisies and cornflowers grow
   little faces bent over (so I can't hear them talk
   of mortal fools and the world that they know)

   For it is just us who part what is one
   done up by our Father by us is undone
   we worship His beauty, the author unheard
   as we sleep through the day unaware of His word

   So when the time comes to fall from the tree
   I must be prepared for that is not me
   that tumbles and sails the green earth so kind
   only part of the one He sent me to find

Peter Ledermann worked for many years as an audio equipment designer, inventor, and researcher for the T. J. Watson IBM Research Center. He is currently President/Chief Engineer of the Soundsmith Corporation. He enjoys philosophy, humor, painting, writing, and traveling to observe nature.