He Careth for Thee

By Georgia Moore Eberling

On the topmost branch of our bare oak tree
A lone brown leaf clings stubbornly,
(It is long past time for the leaves to go,)
When the brisk fall winds began to blow
They put on beautiful golds and reds,

Bound crimson ribbons about their heads
And sailed aloft, like the butterfly,
They all found wings to bear them high.
Most of the leaves smiled up at the sun
Glad that their summer’s work was done,

And whispering groups flew far away
In the shining hues of their new array.
In late November they all have flown
Save the leaf that lingered, it’s all alone,
It will nevermore dance to the lilt of the breeze

For winter has come, and all the trees
Have wrapped themselves in a winding-sheet
Of glittering snow and icy sleet,
While the little leaf so full of fear
Is ugly and withered, lonely and sere.

(1945)