Released of her pupal enclosure
she spreads her botanical wings
and basks in the sunlight

The blessing of life, filled with purpose
dancing upon her axis, singing in the breeze
assimilating as nature intended.

Not until the summer’s sun wanes
does her anatomy stop betraying her
and allow her to simply be.

With the menopause of chlorophyll
the leaf’s green mask falls away
and her true colour can show

The leaf embraces her vibrancy
in the autumn of her life

SC Stuckey is a Canadian enjoying the Los Angeles sunshine who passionate about politics, her home country and her husband.