Chalice

The young shoots of the bush maple
stand at attention in rows
along the branches, each one
a cup, held up
to the nourishing sky.
Nestled within the folds
of each hungry mouth
is one perfectly formed
drop of crystalline water,
one drop in the vessel
of each shoot, without fail,
but with great variation.
The drop might be small,
or might form a pool.
It might hide in the youthful curve
of the bud,
or hang by the hairs
of the underleaf.
It might be unerringly round
or an oblong blob.
But each leafling
held only one;
one drop of life
in each chalice.