Said golden leaves upon the ground
To new born leaves upon the tree :
'Soon homeward autumn winds will blow
And carry us away to sea,
Just as it shook the night before
The branches all and set us free ;
No longer do we envy bird or dew,
Nor do we want again to be like you.'
The sweet and tender leaves replied :
'Still we rejoice that we are here ;
We rise from the eternal source
Of life to crown the dying year ;
The wind that freed you we can see.
The sea you love we always hear.
You are the boot}- of the storm and we.
We are the fruits of Death upon Life's tree.'