New Leaf Old

The way of God is like an autumn leaf falling from a tree

It flitters and floats and swirls gaily in the wind.

It is lost in a sea of vibrant colors.

But eventually it must come down

All the way down to the earth

To crumble and decay.

Yet when, in a season or two,

The tree draws from the earth and sprouts a new leaf

What shall we say?  Is it the same leaf?