Explaining to a Leaf (softly sad)

Free Verse

Explaining to a Leaf

~ loneliness ~

Winds stalk me,

leaves tremble at my approach …

they are frightened

of the cold that follows.

In hushed, rustling whispers,

as I pass, they ask,

“Why is it you are not afraid?”

Un-answering, my feet march on,

trodding on their fallen brethren,

lovers, sisters, and friends ...

why bother with answers.

Would they understand?

How do you explain to a shivering leaf

that the cold can’t be as bad

as waking up tomorrow,

finding it’s become

as lonely today as every day

is going to be,

what it’s like

finding the same empty bed,

with the same lone hair

stretched out across your pillow;

a single-stranded ghost,

the constant reminder

that all too often,

hearts,

like seasons …

share a kinship of change?

Author's Note

Picture. Compliments of Google images.

Please, feel free to offer constructive criticism and/or well-meant comments. : )

Reviews

[T.S. Ulmus]

Constructive criticism!? How could I possibly dare? This is a masterpiece. In my first read through this piece I was amazed at every turn. You strike me as a man that wouldn't appreciate pure fawning praise but I cannot come up with anything but praise. A master stroke of a true artist.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully, Syr TS 🌿

I can conceive of nothing more graciously humbling or genuinely rewarding than to receive such appreciative sincerity, praise, and accolades for one of my earnest Free Verse pieces.
Coming from a fellow-poet so highly accomplished, admired, and respected, as yourself, I am amply assured my hopeful efforts have proven worthwhile.

Well, a little fawning never hurt a thing. ; )
Bountifully overjoyed … your grateful friend ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

Relatable. meaningful ...this piece as there comes a time when we feel that there is nothing more to attain in life, we feel satisfied with the status quo and are content ...to a point. We question our real purpose and contemplate on our passage through life, the benifits/the satisfaction gained...then life some becomes lonely. We seek out someone/something we can talk to who will really understand. Have we achieved our goal? Is there anyone who really understands? Where is the peace of mind we so often seek?

[Richard🖌]

G'day, Dear Kitty! : )
It's so nice to find you here -- reading, complimenting, and showering appreciation and understanding upon one of my humble Free Versings.
The depth and brilliance of your wisdom ever amazes my senses, as does the sweetness and generosity your words always bless me with.
And, "Yes, there is someone who understands." You!

Thank you ever-so dearly, M'Lovely Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

I feel blessed Sire, Loneliness evades me although I often seek solace to contemplate on the many blessings one of which is the ability to write humble pieces and for readers to enjoy the words I put on page. I live and learn and learn to live. You know you are most welcome...always.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow, Richard, this is so moving and such a well done allegory. The seasons of love change like the seasons of nature. And the leaves might ask why we aren't afraid of the winter---we accept it, and with love we have to accept loss...it is something that comes with the package. I like the personification...the questions asked from nature to the human who has suffered loss....Loneliness is the Coldest cold.
j.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Jacob,
You insights always impress and fill me senses with grateful awe; for, it's a review such as yours that ingratiate and inspire an olde bard to keep his pen filled and flowing from mind, heart, emotions, and soul.

What you say is true, as we both know what so many have not yet learned, "that, in love, there are no guarantees -- except change!" ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree with your thoughts and logic for the leaf. In the Spring, birth of life and cold Winter. Green earth sleep. Like us. We have our seasons. Seasons of love and seasons of disappointment. Powerful and wonderful words shared my friend Richard.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

John, My Keen Friend!
You understand the core essence of this piece perfectly … it seems we stand side-by-side in a lot of things we express through poetry, comments, and reviews.

It's a rare and wonderful thing we do … thank you sincerely! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Richard.

[Relic]

Ah yes, the comparison to nature is quite appropriate in this one Richard. I too have personalized leaves in the past and find your interpretation to be an emotional representation to life. We will lose loved ones and have to go on without them. Nature teaches us in many ways her lessons but poets seem to be the only ones who notice or listen.

A fine poem, Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Tim!
How ya doin', buddy?

It is such a pleasure to find you here, reading and reviewing one of my efforts, and to receive your always keen insights and encouraging, appreciative compliments … from a poet of your caliber, high praise, indeed!

I, also, listen to the lessons of Nature … it is the way of kindred-spirits, eh?
Thank you my always fine friend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Richard🖌]

I wish Ahnjolie would return. : )

[Relic]

............................As do I.

[Richard🖌]

A special lady, indeed.

[Onlyme]

An amazing beautiful eloquent piece of poetry Richard. That really sheds a deep light onto loneliness and emptiness one can feel. And feeling it relate to the rustling leaves under your feet on a bleak and dismissal day. Is heartfelt, sincere and an amazing expression of understanding and relate to being alone.

[Richard🖌]

Such beautifully rendered words you've gifted this poignantly moving piece, Dear Dawn … so very moving in emotion, praise, and expressed depth of understanding a rare few possess.

Thank you ever-so warmly and appreciatively, Fine Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[heavenscentgirl1]

Richard, I find such strong reinforcement of a quote that a friend once shared with me > “There is sometimes much beauty in Sadness”. The words you’ve shared within this beautifully sad piece has left me with tears streaming from my eyes and a heart filled with pain just thinking of someone being that lonely to feel the connection with a lone leaf fluttering along in a cold wind.
Its amazing how you are able to continue to share such a clear visual through your words that can touch the reader so deeply that they can feel everything you have written. This is simply a beautifully written sad piece of poetry Richard. Thank you for sharing yOU with us. BIG WARM HUGS of appreciation being sent your way My Dear Man. 🤗🤗 Mary Jo 😇

[Richard🖌]

Gosh Mary Jo!
With your wondrously lovely, appreciative, praising, and insightful words, you've outshone the sun on this warm, sunny, South Texas day, and that is most certainly not an easy thing to do.

Thank you ever-so deeply and sincerely! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[heavenscentgirl1]

You are very Welcome Richard. Sending warm BIG tight Hugs your way to warm you on this cool/ wet day MY DEAR MAN. 🤗🤗☔️🌨⛈🌬🤗. Mary Jo 😇😇😇😋 🍃🌹

[lightsong]

there is the coldness of the body, and there is coldness of the spirit, the emptiness of the heart, and nothing as cold as harsh as being close to the one You love yet they are far away with their hearts, and nothing as cold as the empty spaces Your love left You behind, what that lovely leaf didn't know that to shiver in skin is much much... better than to shiver in veins, luckily she only knows the coldness of body.

[Richard🖌]

Oh, Dear Gh!
How insightfully brilliant you always interpret, understand, and praise my humble poetic pieces.
No one I know of possesses these special skills more prevalently than do You.
These are why I always hope you'll read, review, and bless my little poems with your lovely, knowing presence.

My most warm and grateful thanks to you! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kelly Scheppers]

I found this most extraordinary. Explaining loneliness to a leaf. Such a lovely concept, Richard! Much applause and adoration, my friend.

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Kelly Sweet*
Nothing makes my heart skip a beat more than seeing your name as reviewer on one of my humble pieces.

The day seems so much more lovely, now! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Susan 🦋]

This poems seems so alive to me, I can almost feel those leaves beneath my feet... and hear those hushed whispers. From this point on, I will always "hear" those whispers as I walk... I love the comparision with family, just like a "family tree." Though, the sadness that comes across really does hit me hard. The image portrayed is crushing. Not so softly sad. Clearly achieved your intention with this poem.

[Richard🖌]

Dear Susan,
Your heartfelt words recognize and seem to actually feel the essence of this poignant Free Verse work.

With hugs 'n grateful blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Susan 🦋]

How many times I return here... how many times so softly sad. Always so drawn to this. How very much hearts and seasons change... ( gets me everytime)

[Susan 🦋]

...always drawn to this one.

[Richard🖌]

Often,
A reader may connect with a writer's work in sone deeply special way, but it is rare, indeed, for reader and writer to connect the way we do.

[Susan 🦋]

Rare, indeed.

[Susan 🦋]

I always look for this one. Maybe because you’ve captured the feeling of loneliness so well.. maybe because this poem touches something I don’t even understand… either way, I always come back to read.

[Richard🖌]

And, it sweeps me that you do. 💫

[Susan 🦋]

and since I've been reviewing today... yep, you know it, here I am looking at this AGAIN!

[Richard🖌]

Susan Dear 🦋

You are welcome on my pages anytime, all the time, night or day, come rain or shine.
I agree, M'Lady … this piece does have its own unique appeal; in a poignant sort of way.

I am always 'n ever grateful for your intelligently lovely presence, Susan … big HUG🤗! ⁓ Richard