The flapping leaves, unaware
of the ground beneath them,
tingle as they sensually whip
about at each other or, in
the case of the loners,
as they fold into them
selves. Each one
is half vibrant life,
half echoing spirit,
punching the elevator
button for heaven, having
long forgotten the moist
batter of earth from
whence they derived.
Curling in ecstasy,
these fledgling
cheerleaders
lift a broadening
trunk through
the earth and
its adolescence
into an ever more
world-weary
grown-up.
