Brown Cousin

From the garden that Karu built in Pasyala, Sri Lanka

Why do you fall on me brown cousin

with your skin so dry and lifeless?

It's not that I didn't appreciate you

in the days when we were attached,

but now you've fallen

and I don't need to be reminded of you anymore.

 

I'm still vibrant, living, breathing, dancing.

And you no longer appeal to my vitality.

 

It's not your colour, odour or lack of movement that bothers me.

What annoys me is the reminder of what I have to come.

 

It's a short life.

 

I'm in the now.

 

You belong then.

 

So stop falling on me with your pathetic misery.

I'm still green and have some time left.

 

I want to enjoy the present

while I still can.

 

 

Author's Note

I wrote this while helping my staff to attend the garden. They are constantly sweeping the dead leaves from the grounds and I wondered how it must feel to be the leaf that is still alive, watching members of their family fall around them.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A interesting poem. I like the way you used nature and thoughts to create good vision and reaction. Live things have no concern for dead things. In time will be forgotten. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem.
Coyote

[Joby Bottoms]

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

[JulieÉmile]

This was very profound. Using nature as a theme to convey human nature is a favorite with me. Everything you've written is so true. You have perfectly portrayed the way the youth look at the old and the general thoughts that occur to them.

Just like the green leaf, we are unwilling to accept the grim realities around us. Especially that of old age. Its funny how people go about their daily lives without even bothering to think of what would happen when old age creeps upon them.

The last two lines of your poem also convey a very deep message. 'I want to enjoy the present while I still can' Many of us need to do this. While there are those who are nonchalant about old age, there are others who constantly worry about the future.
They should definitely read this poem.

Overall, very good writing. Makes one stop and think. Thank you for sharing this.

[Joby Bottoms]

Thank you for your constructive review.