early leaves are a golden-green color, almost yellow when they are very new and young) this color fades quickly as the leaf grows and deepens to darker green) referring to the budding of trees and plants which often takes the form of a flower briefly before turning to leaf) (the flowering of trees can be completed start to finish in a matter of days, a relatively short period in terms of the tree's total leaf cycle) (When it's over the leaf becomes just a leaf, not a flower, not gold) (Eden was also once, though briefly, a golden, flowering place until Eve and that apple) the gorgeous colors of dawn and early morning give way to just another day) a mourning for the golden things, for youthful things, time passing or times past)