Green Leaf and Paper Lantern


Green leaf on white waters
Tossing, turning, dancing lightly
On crystal bubbles
Though hard currents
Past jagged rocks and hungry eddies
Carrying in its tiny veins
Hope of life
Deep into future rivers.

Flickering flame
In a paper box
Tiny water star
Floating past night creatures
Lighting passage
Beside green leaf
Drifting innocently
Around blind bends.

Green leaf and paper lantern
Flowing softly through time
Over white water rapids
Different yet equal
Leaving thumbprints
In the ledger of life
Traveling with their allotted time
To yet another
Soft, lingering
Sunrise.


Jeannine