When I was a child
I walked like a child
I talked like a child
Acted like a child
My jaw was not yet developed to chew
And digest
The seasons and the times
I struggled to choke down the tougher meat
Of the grand design
But as the Spring, turned to Summer
Subsequently led to fall
I fell from grace, but in Autumn’s embrace
Found myself, once more, standing tall
Now the winters slow to come
In which I’ll die to self
And learn that I don’t know as much
As I thought I did when I was young
And the process will start o’er again
Of dying, rebirth and growth
But for now, I guess, I’ll sit just here
Basking in the pale and orange glow
Of an Autumn sunset
Reflecting on the leaves
That the tree of life has shed and left behind
To float away in the coming breeze
Andre Darius Labuschagne is a poet, musician, and pastor from Johannesburg, South Africa. He is currently involved with various church movements – and his theological and philosophical beliefs are reflected in his poems. A recovering drug addict, his poetry also explores themes of mental illness, substance abuse, finding God, and the process of growing towards completeness. He is currently the pastoral counsellor at Lethlabile Halfway House, and hopes to help many overcome their battles with mental health and substance abuse issues.