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 🍃

[Saoirse K.]

i adore the way you started this piece
the first stanza sets such a potent mood for the rest of the poem
i can almost feel the chill of the lurking wind at my back
made colder still by a nervous shiver at the thought of it stalking me
an inevitable force of change
beautiful imagery used throughout the piece
and i enjoy the thought of "explaining to a leaf"
there is a melancholy charm about the notion
futile as it may be
nice write

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most warmly, Saoirse✨
Your take, expressed understandings, and rare touches of genuine sensation, derived from this work's ambient timbre, more than sweetly ignites an olde bard's sense of desired aim to successfully accomplish composing for and fulfilling another's grasp of that which beautiful imagery exemplifies … if nothing else (and, there is).

This, alone, that you've inspired, is gratification beyond the cliché of mere words … with most appreciative hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Ah, Richard! I think this is one of your most beautiful free verses that I've read so far, and which has completely 'taken' me in ;) I love everything about it, the subject matter especially close to my heart. And your imagery here really makes this reader feel the scenario. Nothing worse than the prospect of being alone...
Enchanting write, Sir :))

[Richard🖌]

It is so very good to see you, Yumna 🌸
How wonderful it is to share this poignant little verse of fantasy with you.
And, it's even more gratifying to know you've enjoyed and so deeply felt the pangs, despite its poetic beauty, and that you personally relate to its core essence.

Thank you ever-so warmly for your knowing compliments, too … may loneliness never embrace your life! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Jep Orwell]

At first I didn't understand the poem. That was only one paragraph in though, after a while I started to see a meaning to it. We all read poetry different and thus they all have different meanings to us. On the surface it seems like a leaf and a person are two very different, but then looking deeper I see a hint of depression.
Good job on using the poetry to show what I saw, I'm sure others see different things.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully, Jep, for selecting this rather poignant Free Verse poem to read and review.

Your gracious and insightful words of expression demonstrate the olde adage, "No two artists paint the same tree."

Thank you, too, for the nice compliment.
I'll be drifting by your place for a read … blessings, my new friend! ⁓ Richard 🍂

[Robert Trakofler]

wow this is a sweet song of lament. I love the fall most of all, and the rustling leaves tune is one of my favorites... I hear them crackle clearly in your poem and a sweetness to your voice in this write and a very nice flow too.

[Richard🖌]

A most happy welcome to thee, Syr Poet!

Thank you sincerely for your exuberance, your deeply appreciated compliments, and keen comments on this rather emotional and palpably poignant Free Verse.
Would you agree that metaphors in textures and hues of Nature are an easy choice to catch the keenly approving eye of a knowing reader, such as You?

For your fine review, a poem in itself, I give most grateful thanks … a good day to ya, Syr! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Cherrie Palmer]

A very effective analogy. Like all your poetry it's smooth and elegant.
(I do not believe in reincarnation but)
It would make a great poem if the same leaves became Springs young buds

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Cherrie,
I am so very pleased you've found this deeply metaphorically emotional piece of fantasy in Free Verse form.
And, what a beautiful and gratifying thing to say to me about my poetry … I feel so wonderfully appreciated, enjoyed, and inspired! : )
Well, It's very difficult for me to say I do or do not "believe" in something I don't know for sure about, but I definitely like your heartening idea that dying leaves could, somehow, be reborn as Springtime buds. And, if one were to consider that everything a leaf is composed of turns into mulch, and that feeds nutrient into the soil buds grow from, I'd say there is a bit of actual truth in that wondrous notion of yours. 🍃->🍂->🌻

You're a beautiful lady, Cherrie … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🤗

[Dave]

The quiet crunching of the leaves, the almost silent passing of time as we and loved ones move on. Seeing, finding tokens of fond remembrances empty pillows, a stray loosened lock of hair. As usual Richard you paint a fantastic painting with your words.

Take care - Dave

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Dave,
It's so good to see you today, My Friend! : )
Thank you for sharing your pertinent insights on the nuances of this emotionally moving Free Verse work.

You never disappoint in your generosity of praise and expressed appreciation.
Bless all your days with wonder! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Dave]

It is so good to hear from you again. My so called generosity on your work is so well deserved.
read moreIt is so good to hear from you again. My so called generosity on your work is so well deserved.

Take care - Dave

[Richard🖌]

Dave,
I thank you most effusively … the remaining portion of your message was cut-off after "read more".

[Sarah K Cass]

I don't think I'll ever jump ad kick around in a pile crisp Autumn leaves again without thinking of this poem and imagining how the leaves are feeling!

[Richard🖌]

How delightful, Sarah,
To find your lovely presence b'neath this rather poignant verse of emotional metaphors.
It's wonderfully remarkable, too, that you're the only reviewer whose core thought is of the leaves' feelings … how tender your heart. 😌
Goes to show the amazing diversity in that which catches and holds the reader's attention.

My warmest, most grateful thanks to you, Dear Lady-Poet … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍂

[Sarah K Cass]

Leaves have feelings too! I'm an empath.

[Richard🖌]

Fist bump ⁓ me, too! : )

[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.