Green Leaves

A childhood tree remembers you

Green Leaves — a poem by Pemba Umoja

Remember what the green leaves looked like

when lying on your back on the green grass

in a bespeckled green world,

or how glowing green leaves

resembled loving hands

giving you a hug

as you climbed thick branches.

That first branch

was always a big leap,

but you figured it out.

And do you still remember your route?

Right foot here,

left hand there.

Pull, twist around this limb,

lean under this one.

The green hands,

the limbs,

the massive trunk

whispered the way always:

You are safe here.

Welcome home.

When are you coming again?

A poem by Pemba Umoja