Two trees stood tall

Brothers side-by-side

At the edge of the field

With no place to hide

~

One noticed changes

All subtle at first

Its leaves streaked in color

Its roots a new thirst

~

But, the other found excuses

Afraid of too much, too soon

Noting, the air’s not cool enough

And the sun’s too hot at noon

~

Yet, the first couldn’t ignore

The nature of its calling

Today, I’ll dress in autumn colors

Tomorrow, I’ll let leaves start falling

~

Still, the other grew wary

Of the calendar date

Instead of honoring destiny

It tried to change fate

~

While the first was recognized

Far and wide

For its vibrant autumn colors

That it never tried to hide

~

The other was overlooked

Which made it feel bad

Its green leaves hung faded

Looking sullen and sad

~

Even as the first

Let go of all its leaves

Standing bare and tall

Its true purpose was achieved

~

Still the other became fearful

Unable to let go

Now its leaves that should have fallen

Were all covered in wet snow

~

Though both trees were covered

Only the first could hold the weight

Because the other feared its purpose

It now faced a harsher fate

~

A few of its branches

Crumpled to the ground

Yet it hoped in the spring

It had a chance to rebound

~

To learn from the first tree

Admitting its blunder

With a chance to grow all season

It would become an autumn wonder