A tiny hand, a clenched fist
Like the curled buds of spring
Emerges into the world.
The tightly clenched petals are unfurled.
Buds become beautiful blossoms,
As the little girl grows.

The young woman,
Ready to embark on a journey.
The strength of the summer sun,
The crashing of the ocean,
They fill her with energy
To run, to jump, to dance.
And her short chubby fingers
Reach for the stars.

Autumn adds a new dimension
A tone, a shade, a color
She gets from her friends.
But the leaves begin to fall
Dropping one by one from her grasp.
And her hand is held
Outstretched
Trying to catch them, to bring them back
And she knows she will have to let some go
She will have to say goodbye.
And the leaves continue to fall.

A bare tree
Bereft of her leaves
Howls with the wind that tears at her soul.
She tries desperately to cling to her roots
Not to be swept up in the storm.
She finally feels warm
Ensconced in the dark brown earth
Like a thick blanket, warming her heart
While clouds of snow swirl around her.
Her long thin branches laced with icicles
Glinting in the glow of the coming sun.
Her long delicate fingers
Bear a ring whose prism reflects her joy
At the hope of a new dawn
Because spring is coming.

And a tiny hand, a clenched fist
Like the curled buds of spring
Emerges into the world . . .