Leaves Poem by Juan Olivarez

Leaves, brighten up the world.
When first they appear,
As tiny buds on branches,
On a warm spring day.
Then when they emerge,
Green shiny and deliciously new,
Creating a cooling effect all around.

As summer rears it's head,
The leaves create shade for men,
And animals alike.
Birds nest among them, and sing their songs,
Within the coolness of the leaves.

And in the fall, they give us so much joy,
Cascading down to cover the ground,
In myriads of brilliant colors.
And then they are gone.
Leaving us sad, and eagerly awaiting,
Their return.