love the bud

tree, what can you teach me today?

see the big picture

the whole trunk

from roots to sky

see the breadth-- the branches

the kindness all around him

that reaches out

and skirts him 360 degrees

where ever he goes

see the old leaves

that still remain

all crinkled and

so ready

to easily fall away

with a slight brush of hand

or whisper of wind

what a joy to see how

ready they are to drop

having served their purpose

see how far they have come

as soon as they are ready

they will be gone

in the exact moment it is time

and not a moment before

there is no rushing

your growth

your readiness

the beauty of the flower

is complete

from bud to blossom

you cannot force the bud

to force is to kill

to murder

to destroy

to deny

to desire something to be different than it is

to think "should"

it is to not see

appreciate

recognize

love

what is

love the bud

we adore babies

that's what we are!

amazing

beautiful

babies

we don't expect babies

to take or pass the SAT,

we simply love them

exactly as they are