Ascensions into heaven are like falling leaves

sad and happy all at the same time

Going away isn’t really sad

especially when your going

enables a new kind of presence to be born.

Long have the leaves known the trees

They’ve danced together in the wind

days upon days.

But now, growing older and wiser,

they know they can’t cling to the trees forever.

And so they say good-bye falling to the ground

waiting for the mystery of death to transform them

into nourishment for the earth.

And the trees?

They stand alone for one short season

but they are at peace,

waiting for another mystery to unfold them

with its presence.

When I saw you leaving

I covered my face with my heart

Oh, the ache of letting go

But then I remembered the trees

and so I stood in peace

remembering your return.