Yellow ginkgo leaves cling
to branches as they bid farewell
to the life in their limbs extended 
to the heavens and out, 
rooted and reaching for
their neighbors.

The separation layer 
holds them together
until the freeze
snaps time into place,
and we fall. 

To do what daunts humbly, 
to hold what happens softly, 
to embrace what empties boldly: 
opportunity harvested from the opposable
~ grace grows.