cascading Leaf

a lonely meal

   Her little game hen is cooked,

stuffed with dressing for one.

    A splash of gravy she takes

for a table set for just one. 

  Her eyes drift to the window

here in her cabin far from town. 

    She watches the last leaf cascade

and wonders

   where all of her little ones

have gone.

Reviews

[Casey Luther]

That is beautifully sad. The best way I know how to explain it.

[Cherrie Palmer]

It is sad. The image just popped in my head, and wa-la.

[Casey Luther]

That's usually the best kind. The ideas that we don't beat our brains against the wall for.

[Neville]

this does read so sad...as a parent of two grown up and flowns, I can wholly relate.. however, as I've said before, if ya can make space for a little one, I will be there like a shot :)

[Cherrie Palmer]

Always room for one more at Christmas.
:) If you don't mind lamb.

[Neville]

super... :)

[Stella Armour]

i know this feeling well, and yet we must not cling on. The metaphor using the last leaf is wonderful Cherrie. My last little one left but still clings with his little ones (new leaves) so life in the autumn years is not always sad.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, I agree with you. I too have a new leaf that will abide hear with me for many more seasons

[Stella Armour]

thank goodness ... :)

[Paul Bell]

You can't wait for them to grow up.
Then they grow up and leave you.
Strange how the noise that used to drive you nuts, now turned to silence leaves you wanting.

[Cherrie Palmer]

The Joy's of watching them grow is a fleeting delight.

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice. Sounds like the character's partner and child has left!

[Coyote Poetry]

Life changes, sometimes, not for the better. Children grow-up and the days of family can be forgotten. Thank you Cherrie for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Cherrie Palmer]

Don't forget granny when she's old:) cause we will all be old one day.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear Cherrie.

[John the Baptist]

This one has an autumnal sound to it. We get the picture of a woman, probably middle aged or older, sitting down to dinner alone. The poem repeatedly presents images of solitariness and isolation. The image of the last leaf falling is an apt metaphor for the children who have all left home. If she has a husband or other family we do not know. The language is clear, spare and haunting. A somber but beautiful piece.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you John, so many have to spend holidays alone. I wanted to try and capture the feeling

[wordman]

sad,they all have gone away

[Cherrie Palmer]

I watched the last leaf fall from one of our trees and this idea just popped into my mind.
Thank you for reviewing this one.

[wordman]

always a pleasure

[Chris Shaw]

All the chicks have flown and mother hen is left alone. Many will relate to these words Cherrie. I can remember how I felt when my only daughter left home. We now have her three chicks living with us, so it is busy again, but I can remember the emptiness. The silence can really get to you. Nicely expressed.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

The holidays can be extremely hard on our older generation. Like you we have a chickie in the house l remember it being easier when I was younger.

[angel]

As a mom living in a one-room cabin in the woods, I sympathize. I hope her kids at least contact her from time to time. Mine text me and visit me on Facebook, but they live in different states, and I don't see them much.My son is back home, in Vermont, and my daughter is in Pennsylvania.
I am married, so I am not alone; sometimes I wish I was, though!
I do get a bit sad, though, remembering the big Thanksgiving dinners for twelve I used to cook, back when the kids were kids, and so many friends would come!
This was an excellent write, though; very poignant.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, I use to cook for 32 and now it's just my husband and granddaughter. But I still cook like I'm expecting an army. It is a hard adjustment to make.
:) thank you, Angel for stopping by.