We've been filling in our Book of Firsts this year, 

being watchful and mindful of the space around us. 

We noted the first couple of geese to arrive, 

the first dandelion to sprout, 

the first robin to peck the yard. 

Spring is good for spotting the new. 

In the backwoods when the buds had not yet burst forth,

 there was a twig holding onto a leaf from last year. 

No winter wind had knocked it from its node.

I wondered about its holding on. 

It was like the leaf on the oak tree in our neighbourhood, 

but it descended halfway through winter. 

I like to draw our eyes up 

to the last leaf on the branch -

Wondering what great will it has.