
Fortitude
by Laura Ann Reed
Twelve leaves, all that remains of the Japanese maple’s
autumn conflagration, flutter in a chill breeze.
At the base of the tree lie the fallen—motionless,
curled into themselves, withered with humiliation,
with sorrow of defeat—their glorious red now
the brown of earth into whose depths they slowly
sink and decompose, comforting their wounded pride
only in knowing their atoms and molecules will serve
as fabric for next spring’s flags of victory. But these
dozen leaves, these flaming angels, their beauty
terrifies. These demi-gods, radiant, proud, turn
in the wind but refuse to yield. I’m consumed
by their magnificence, I bow to them, sing
their praises, pray to them for courage, fortitude,
protection from my human uncertainties.
Invitation for Writing & Reflection: Looking out at the natural world, what examples can you find of “fortitude” and resilience, the will to hold on in spite of coming cold? You might describe what gives you strength to face our many “human uncertainties.”