CXXXIX: A single leaf upon a stripling tree

O first and final leaf upon my tree

who will not live forever, but may be

a thread that ties together home and me

until I find a way to honor thee.

I never would have guessed that you would grow,

despite my faith from many years ago.

But grow you did, and thence, how could I know

that, years apart, I'd long to see you so?

The picture isn't quite enough to sate

my pining that refuses to abate.

Was I the cause of this untimely fate?

Was I the reason that I now must wait?

I will not know if it was up to me,

but now I know I long to visit thee.