The importance of a leaf

Snowfall this morning, and we walk softly through the white.
Bouncing tracks of squirrels pattern the sidewalks around us,
human feet leave the designs on the soles of their shoes—stripes, curves, stars,
and the faithful dog leaves its tracks alongside.

A mother and her little daughter build a small snowman;
tangerines for eyes, carrot nose, broccoli mouth (mustache?), celery limbs.
It stares oddly as we pass by.

And then the sun bursts through the clouds
and the snow becomes a million mirrors, then a million drops of water;
glistening beads caught by a leaf
now magnify the wonder of the day
as we pass by.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The day I see a leaf is a marvel of a day.
-Kenneth Patton

Birth, life, and death -- each took place on the hidden side of a leaf.
-Toni Morrison