Little Leaf

The very shape of you is like a miracle to me

A cup to hold the morning dew or Jack Frost filigree

A startling revelation etched against November gray

Where you relinquish remnants of what buds beget in May

A harp in summer’s hand, a parasol for lilting lark

A wonderland of flowers held in palms of twig and bark

A grandstand filled with whispers while the whole world lies asleep

The wing that wakes the wooded citadel so dark and deep

You come in sundry shape and size; even a child is drawn

Into your autumn-paradise of leaf-embellished lawn

We never get fully enough of little you, alas

Like all of life the air is rife with what must come… to pass

© Janet Martin

Last night was one of those nights when I began to question whether I am really doing what God wants me to do; write poetry. It takes time, head-energy, time, prayer, time and yet something/Someone in me compels me to write, write, write...poetry!

But last night some Thing weighed on me…hard, like only negativity, discouragement and doubt can do and I began to pray 'Lord, is this really what You have called me to do or am I missing what You want ‘cause I’m writing...poetry? Oh, God, I really need to know. Can You send me a sign, a clear sign of what You want me to do? I will not write until I know from You what Your answer is. Amen.'

…then, from the nightstand I picked up a book I purchased last week at a local thrift-store entitled Lines to Live By. I flipped through it wondering where to begin to read this compilation of poetry and prose.

I know, I thought, why not start on the very first page; the Preface…I began reading then began to weep; it was like God was right there in the room talking to me…reassuring me that it's okay to write yes, even about a little leaf...

Click on images below to enlarge to read...

Preface written by Clinton T. Howell