The Purple Tree

It looked so promising
With long, elegant branches
Reaching toward the sky
Bare from the harsh winter
But only for a little while longer

For soon the buds would bloom
And beautiful green leaves
Would gift refreshing shade

I dreamed of many sunny evenings
Swinging, sitting, living underneath
With sparkling, dancing rays
Passing through the greenery
In the most delightful way

Yet spring arrived, along with orange buds
Odd, but still promising
Until the leaves came

Dark.

And purple.

A disappointing dark spot
Plaguing our beautiful yard
I looked upon it bitterly
Day after day
Wishing for the leaves
To magically turn green
To no avail

Months of envisioning
What the future would hold
Prepared my heart
For disappointment

For who was I to assume
How the bud would bloom
Surely this tree
Is a blessing regardless

Selflessly providing shade and play
And adorning an otherwise
Empty corner of the yard

Perhaps the purple tree
Has a lesson for me
That life will bring
The unexpected

And though it may seem dark
And I might feel bitter
I can choose to find the beauty
Delight in the colors I didn't choose

And I will learn to love it.