In September

Leathery green and ancient,
strength in the shape of a fan
– the gingko leaf,
unassuming from a distance,
up close a marvel that makes you feel privileged
to see something
others don’t.

Among its fellow fans,
a September spectacle.
– enjoying life while green and life while yellow,
not falling into the human trap of discontentment
when a phase of life
does not exactly meet your needs.

Am I happier when single or in union with another?
Am I more myself when accomplished or when learning from failure?
Do I thrive when rooted to the ground, or while following the whims of my daydreams?
Or could it be, like the gingko, peace does not come
in certainty,
but in the knowing the impermanence of
every state.

It takes one cold snap,
or a sudden burst of wind,
for all the leaves to surrender to their autumnal role.

If they hold on, the tree will die,
so with kindness they fall,
(how considerate they are)
so that their host will retain the nourishment it needs
to survive the winter.

Gliding from one moment to the next,
just as you nurture your own roots,
transformation being the only option.
gently cradling change
so that when it is your turn to turn yellow,
it does not surprise you
at all.

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