Life Cycle

The miracle of springtime
is given to the ground.
sandy loam sifts softly
where life will soon abound

Seeds dropped in precision
embracing particles of earth
fresh and clean as soil can be
pure medium of birth

Roots creating roadmaps
webs in darkness creep
while to the sun the seed unfolds
and lifts its head to peep

Along a row so neatly sown
bursts of green appear
spreading arms to praise the sun
and meet a new frontier

A snarling frost looms dangerous
then afternoon's hot blaze
A tender seedling toughens
under nature's changing ways

As days and nights watch silently
the plant begins to tower
what gay debut she celebrates
shining forth in flower

Then from within her sheltered arms
she gives back of her life
Mature, she smiles satisfied
an end to youthful strife

Age steals color from her face
She brittles from her time of toil
In grace she quietly accepts
her reemergence to the soil.