How Innocent The Trees

Williamsburg, Virginia. (Click picture for larger view)

"How innocent were these Trees, that in
Mist-green May, blown by a prospering breeze,
Stood garlanded and gay;
Who now in sundown glow
Of serious colour clad confront me with their show
As though resigned and sad,
Trees, who unwhispering stand umber, bronze, gold;
Pavilioning the land for one grown tired and old;
Elm, chestnut, aspen and pine, I am merged in you,
Who tell once more in tones of time,
Your foliaged farewell."
~ Siegfried Sassoon, October Trees

Flowers are for all seasons; colorful petals and beautiful leaves can be found year round. For the trees, there are two seasons of joy; Spring and Autumn. Yes, they have Summer, but all are green in Summer; elm, maple, black gum, pine and poplar, all blend together in subtle shades blurring the outlines and shapes. In Winter, all but the pine, stand naked against the sky with only slight differences in the texture of bark to call their names; rows of trees intertwining empty limbs of grey and brown and all muted shades between.

But in Spring the budding leaves return, at first pale and small; then with bright green to contrast with the blackened winter branches. Many add colors of the rainbow along with pinks and purples in their first flowers. New life! New hope! Joy! And in Autumn, the blazing colors of red, orange and gold splash across the horizon. This is the best season; for as the trees wind down and prepare for Winter's rest, they go out with a bang! A kaleidoscope of color. Who could look at these wonders and believe there is no God?

Submission for Tuesday Challenge topic "trees". (end of post)