The Final Punctuation

The Final Punctuation

 

 

I am stuck on fall

like a leaf 

that refuses to depart

from its branch

 

turning in color

very slowly

not wanting its life to end

 

strong winds bare the trees

and leaves roll across the ground like tumbleweeds

 

vicious gusts

attack like some fast-moving disease

rails against the body

 

I am stuck on fall

a leaf aging

I long for wings

 

I do not want to become mulch

on the ground

then disappear into winter

 

and by spring

become completely forgotten

as green garrulously greets

 

the eye

and another poet

types his last word

his last period.

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/9/23

Reviews

[Starbaby]

Poems such as this will live on in perpetuity, and no author who could pen such thought provoking beauty could be easily forgotten or replaced by a flashy new pen. keep warm and pen on through the winter, and in spring, all our thoughts will once again be on rebirth. I'll be expecting an ode to the robins come march sir!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I really appreciate your kind words, Starbaby,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

We should be so lucky as the leaves of Autumn; to burn in a magnificent blaze before our fall. Let us not confine ourselves to the plain periods of mere mortals but end our poetic verses with exclamation points of blazing meteors shooting through the shocking blue sky! Eventually, we all feed the roots of another tree or we feed the worms that feed the tree. Take written pictures for the old photo album.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like your reply much better than my poem.
Thank you for your words,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. I know I'm a bit early in my salutation but it tends to get hectic nearing the holiday here since I'll be doing the cooking. Oh, not that I mind. I love to cook, even better I love to feed my friends and neighbors. I'm forever sending out portions of my creation to my local guinea pigs. (laughing) No complaints yet though. Making traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year. It's not out of any loyalty to tradition but turkey was 29 cents a pound so a fifteen pound bird was $4 and some change. I can afford to eat turkey a few days. Hope your holidays are the best! F.

[Desert Knave]

There is a starkness and a surrender to this that reminds me of how I feel as each Arizona summer approaches. Very nicely expressed. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for finding a way to relate to this, Jim.
j.

[John Sullivan]

A beautiful piece, if not a bit morbid. Like others have said, our legacy is in our words, and they shall remain. To have lived and have done something with a passion... what more can we do? Hope this finds you well, cheers

[jacob erin-cilberto]

definitely a passion...for the good or for the bad.
Thank you, John,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

We are all going to disappear one day, just like the crunchy leaf on the tree or the leaves on the ground that become mulch.... but that doesn't mean we are forgotten.... in fact our poetry is our legacy and will be remembered in every season. beautiful thoughts from an awesome poet!
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Betty,
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome J.
Warmly,
B

[Lydia Shutter]

You are never going to disappear, Jacob. Your words will live on. I am sure your students will speak of you years from now. I like the metaphor of a tree losing its leaves. Good one. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, Lydi,
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Jacob… in Autumn’s glory is a painting of a Mother’s undying Love where she fades until her Buds begin to appear when Spring becomes blossoms of radiance… softly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, that radiance...for sure.
thank you, Pat,
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Fave verse
I am stuck on fall
a leaf aging
I long for wings

A beautiful poem Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I can't seem to get away from trees and fall as themes...mmmm
thank you, Julie,
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Yes I recall a pic of an autumn tree you once had as a profile ??

[NormaZ]

What a wonderful way to write a fall poem! So different from the viewpoint of one leaf, very nicely done!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, NormaZ.
j.

[AYVID N]

Such clarity of thought. Such beauty of words. It could only come from you. Yes, we must insist on life, hold on till the very last drop of colour is bled from us and even then refuse to be mulch. Nature must be awed at our resolve. We'll never die, ever. For me, this is a truly immortal poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Divya,
j.