Leaves the color of desert
camouflage, copper skin,
help us through our winter
war, explain
its hiding places, secret hopes,
the codes it uses, sand, sky,
beech trees in familiar woods
the only ones not naked, smiling,
showing off their flags, feathers
like a line of showgirls, hi troops!,
gauzy, peek-a-boo, revealing
hopes like letters home
or yellow ribbons the light
shines through to this spring, next,
with any luck and a little
rousing cheer.