The Last Leaf

A final breath of wind...

That was her, the last leaf, clinging desperately to life
though her colour grey, pallid,
and not the vibrant pastel hues of autumnal death
that are seen as beautiful by those that care to look.
Alas though this not the case for mankind,
with autumn, winter, often merging slowly, painfully, colourlessly,
until with selfish frustration a freeing wind prayed for.

Her wind, her release to pain free peace
came unexpectedly, without fuss or fanfare.
It was not angry or tempestuous,
no, it was barely more than a breeze
that escaped through dry, chapped lips,
shushing the tears of those gathered around
as she slipped silently away into eternal sleep
where hopefully, angels wash and tend to her soul
and all dreams are only of us that truly loved her.

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

My grandfather and father in law went off in similar fashion the last puff was still and painless, very quiet, as if they had just moved chairs, had they been out and about still. It is looking to be a bitter winter this year. Thanks for pointing me toward this fortifying poem. Frederick.

[Gee]

Thanks Fred, always appreciate you stopping by

[willweb]

There is a sadness that accompanies a change like this, the last leaf, the final rose, bidding farewell to summer as fall grasps the earth. So much can be readd into this but this has made me think...in every instance, there has to be a final leaf to fall. Very deep indeed.

[Gee]

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment

[Robert Haigh]

A poignant poem. All of us must die sometime in the future. All we can wish for is a peaceful and dignified death, but that lays in the hands of fate. In spite of its sadness, your poem conveyed a feeling of peace and dignity.

[Gee]

Hi Robert thanks. Was written about the passing of mum

[Robert Haigh]

My condolences. I lost my mother many years ago. She was only 48. Sadly she never saw her grandchildren.

[Coyote Poetry]

My friend. I understand your words.
"shushing the tears of those gathered around
as she slipped silently away into eternal sleep,
where hopefully, angels wash and tend to her soul
and all dreams are only of us that truly loved her."
The above lines. I wished for the people, who left my world. Thank you for sharing the poetry. You honored a memory.
Coyote

[Gee]

Thank you for your wise, kind words.
Hope you are well Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello my friend and you are welcome.

[Papaya]

What a stunning piece of writing Gee, so beautifully capturing those final moments.

[Gee]

Thank you kindly.
Mum popped her poor little clogs on April the ninth last year :(

[Papaya]

i do remember and of course I have read all about what a remarkable woman she was. (hug)

[Davidgeo]

"pain free peace"

It's a thing I'm pretty sure doesn't exist but the idea of it intrigues me. You're probably the, or one of the most underrated writer's anywhere on this place.

And that's not something I'd say for no reason.

[Gee]

For you to say that means a great deal, cheers
"Pain free peace" ...I'd like to think this true after all she endured whilst living:)
Hope you and yours are all well.
Does Donald amuse you ?

[Davidgeo]

It varies between amusement and complete bafflement. It's kind of scary someone so objectively stupid with such a loose relationship with "facts" in general can become president of the united states. It's really bad timing.

[Freak]

That was truly beautiful, every line has emotion worked into it. It's a gentle poem, yet it speaks of what most people fear. Having been able to relate to this poem, I find it sentimental. It's a very moving poem and you deserve to be published.

[Gee]

I don't know about that, but thank you. The writing was for my old mum who passed away last April, to hopefully find pain free peace in a better place :))

[Freak]

I'm sorry to hear of her passing, I'm hoping she's in a better place as well.

[Gee]

Thank you. I'm thankful she is not having to live through this on going pandemic.

[Freak]

That is a good way to look at things.

[Moonie]

This was extremely poignant, and felt very personal to me. I lost my gradma 2 years back, and I vividly remember the absolute numbness and shock I felt, and the hush that greeted me after she passed away. I knew she wanted to live more, to see her grandchildren get married and dress up for our weddings (she adored dressing up for weddings!), but she couldn't hold on any longer. I'm not a religious person, I cannot imagine her chilling with angels in her after-life, I just try to honor her memory, and to keep her alive in my poetry or my writings.

[Gee]

Thank you for your kind words

[R.E. Ray]

It's difficult enough to write about death. It's even more difficult to write a beautiful poem about it. This is a heartbreaking poem, but one that pays tribute the beauty of a loved one. I can't imagine a higher honor. While death is ugly, much more than most imagine, we can capture and keep the good times in poems like this one. The last leaf is perhaps the one we will remember forever.

[Gee]

Thank you kindly RE

[R.E. Ray]

You're welcome.

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh my, such a powerfully sad write. I am sorry for your loss. I can identify all too well with your words here. Watching someone you love die is an experience you never quite overcome. This is written with honesty and true emotion. Very good. Lydi**

[Gee]

Thank you Lydia