This week I found one of my old class assignments that I dusted off and re-wrote. Please enjoy!
The Leaf
It was my first summer of my retirement and I found myself enjoying long walks while contemplating life and the day. One day, I happened upon a lonely bench and decided to sit and rest under a stately maple. Its welcome leaves gave me shelter from the harsh summer sun and tamed the wind. They reminded me of my childhood home far away. Looking up, I noticed a single leaf perched on the tip of one barren branch. It was perfect in form, strong and alone. The wind tore at it and the leaf simply waved back. I spent many afternoons with my new friend sharing the summer sun, sometimes having short conversations—after all my friend was not a big talker. I’d laugh and tell stories about my family, make observations about the weather and relate plans I’d always thought I would have time to do. My friend quietly listened always giving me his full attention, nodding occasionally in agreement, and sometimes was still in deep contemplation. Then one late summers day, my friend began to change. Heralding the impending autumn, my friend abandoned his perfect green and donned a coat of crimson for the shortened days. Celebrating his life defying the wind, drinking a last ray of sunshine, he fell. The harsh wind tried to whip my friend far away but with his last strength he clung to some spent grass. Losing his grip he flew a short distance—regained his hold, then as life failed, was blown to come to rest in a nest of his brothers. There he was buried.
It was my second summer of retirement and I found myself resting on my favorite bench. I looked to the place where my friend had rested and with joy, saw a young twig from which sprouted a single perfect leaf. Smiling, I got to my feet and remembered plans we discussed I would like to do.