Autumn arrived
The leaves burnt, crackled at the stems
With pink edges, drifting in the firmament
In step with the wild wind

Even as I watched the clock count down time
There, in my heart, I held on tight
To hope, like a little child
For many years

That while the trees lay bare
I could hear what's in their heart
So that they knew someone listened
To them

Year after year, they shed their skin
Laying bare to nature
Helpless to raging storms
You can still see the bruises from the last hurricane

Their broken heart is like an old, torn book
Passages dying to be read by a curious mind
They heal me and soothe the pain
When I'm in pensive state

On the days that I hurt the most
I write their words for you
And that is when the dam surrenders
Letting the flood of emotions pour asunder

I've spent my life exploring the forests
And racing through the aged greenery
But as the seasons change
Something stirs their harmony

In the heart of the deep rich sanctuary
There were multitudes of trees
Bare and brave
Letting the breeze raze them

Weakening their grip on life
They surrender their peace to the stars
While it takes strength to come this far
Nature says that it is time to let go

A wildfire cracks the aged willow
Ravaging the forests of antiquity
Leaving behind the white dust
There's no anguish nor sorrow

A wildfire consumes
Leaving behind only
Millions of roots underground
Yet they survive

So the eye of Death is kinder
To the frail branches that held yesterday's leaves
As God sheds off the imperfections
Leaving behind only a memory

Life persists
And after many seasons
When I am gone
There'll be another forest that takes it place