Stick your leaves back on

My mother planted you the day I was born. 

I grew with you. 

I remember trying to stick your leaves back on in autumn;

I was scared of you changing. 

Yet as time passed, my attempts stood no chance. 

The cruel seasons ripped apart your branches. 

The cruel season ripped me apart, too. 

You looked so unrecognizable by the time winter ended,

I didn’t even wanna be near you.

My mother made me blow out a candle for you every year.

She hasn’t lit one in 1…2…3… I lost count. 

I grew without you. 

You stood tall, but I only kept changing. 

I was scared of changing. 

I’m 16 now. 

A storm ripped you from the earth. 

I'm trying to stick your leaves back on. 

I wish you could do the same to me.