"The leaf"

by Lianne Olive Hennig

I held a dead twig in my hand.
Its stem grew green before my eyes,
And as its length I quickly scanned
A new bud sprang, to my surprise!

A leaf unfolded from the bud –
Its pale green shimmered hard and bright.
Its arteries swelled with yellow blood.
Its plateau widened in the light.

An insect landed on the leaf.
The tiny glutton set to work.
The startled twig turned grey with grief.
I thought I saw the insect smirk.

The leaf was gobbled in a trice –
The bloated bug rolled down my thumb.
Before the dastard could think twice,
I squashed its body in my palm!