We speak of leaves
turning to red and gold
is that what Moses saw?
if so I see it too
in every tree
or bush with leaves aflame
touched by the artist's brush
each leaf a tiny
guarantor of eternity

In deeper truth
the brilliant autumn colors
lie hidden all along
behind the green
that fills the living world
the green that gives us
what we need to breathe
to burn with lust
and love
run after prey
to hold at last
our children
in our arms

If green is life
the autumn colors signal
whatever power transcends
even this world
of life and breath
and causes us to marvel
at the beauty of the light
caught in the leaves

Here is the human gift
that moves us out
beyond ourselves
to where the world surpasses
our every effort to contain it
in our words
our works our art
even our praise