Leaves of the Fall

There is a deeper meaning between sunset and sunrise; which revealed leaves us in awe.

Leaves of the Fall

(Morning Star)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Sublime 

captured in moment of time

If not by the will of God then what

Leaves the soul and mind in thought

Cascading; alluring, falling from sky

Divinity's hand swept gently by

Of firma to heaven; the colors between 

Nightfall; of chandelier dream

Width of scarlet iris sinks to a close

Leave stars that are painted; twinkling in gold

The fade of a whispering breeze

dances melodically between distance of wilted old trees

Horizon now sleeps into shade

Reminder of each precious day

Mystery that aught none ever know

Awaken; to morning star glow

Author's Note

In the book Legion by William Peter Blatty a character rants philosophical about the fall of Lucifer and the creation of all things. How we are the remnants of that event which define us in God's love and Lucifer's free will. Of course the book describes it more eloquently than I but the author's words have always resonated in me because of the beauty they paint. This layered poem can be interpreted in a variety of ways but I see it as resonance. In the meaning that in cycles of nature we see the fall over and over and bear witness to its aftermath in a birth of a new day. And the coming choices we choose to make of our own free will to whatever we believe in with higher purpose of love. CLE

Reviews

[ROSALIND]

I like this ..I wrote something similar a few weeks ago .. interesting thought provoking.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Rosalind for your kind comment on this poem. I have always been captivated by the ending of the book Legion. I wanted to pay homage to the idea that William Peter Blatty presented in that story ending. As I detailed in the author's notes. Don't think I could ever give justice to the words he wrote. CLE

[Maxwell Ryder]

What’s ‘firms’ here mean?

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Hi Maxwell. If you mean the 7th line beginning "of firma..." it means of earth or land. It's meant to reference the fall of Lucifer into the creation of all things. Where the universe still resonates this event in all of existence. William Peter Blatty wrote the novel Legion, and at the end of the book the main character goes into a philosophical and religious tangent about the creation of everything is tied to the fall of Lucifer. Where the shattering of the arch angel in present still in everything. Which he hypothesized the nature of good and evil coming into existence. It is a fascinating take on biblical lore.

[Maxwell Ryder]

Thank you for the explanation. -MR

[Betty Hermelee]

WE all seem to capture a moment in time; whether it's the Divine that has created it or not; your imagery of this moment in time has magnificent colors of a perfect nightfall..." Horizon now sleeps into shade", "leaves that are painted", "morning star glow" and and how each day is very special to us and gives us the freedom we all cherish. Excellent write Carlos!
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for your comment on this poem. On the surface the images of this piece are vibrant in sight and texture and in the highlighting of the colors, yet just below there is a bit of spiritual harmony within there defining qualities. An echo or resonance that lingers from the moment of. creation. I like the dance between both in this poem because as writers we tend to visually see the world with a heightened awareness. We don't just look at an object, we tend to ascribe depth to it with words. We do the same with time and amorphous things as well. Though now in my elder years I don't believe in organized religion I still hold aspects of what I was taught in my youth that bleeds into my work. It allows me to connect spiritually with the audience certain images with ethereal qualities to them. For how are we to describe a perfect sunset or sunrise, without giving notice to its divine resonance? To even the layman we recognize something vastly more glorious behind these simple yet complex beautiful moments. Their significance is recognizable to even to the eye of an agnostic. Thank you kindly again B.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Just think, the fall of man only got him kicked out of Eden but Lucifer lost his place in heaven, it almost makes one want to have "sympathy for the devil" as Mick would say. I enjoyed the read.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A very philosophical and thought provoking statement which I totally agree with, Fabian. Very insightful indeed my friend.

[W. Barrett Munn]

I always thought it odd that the best philosophical musing of the nature of love came from The Exorcist. Not your average puff piece. Well done.
W.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I couldn't agree with you more, W. You are absolutely correct. I feel William Peter Blatty's writing was perhaps under appreciated, for the theme of his story spoke so much about us as human beings. That despite the vile evil men do and are capable of there is still a redeeming grace that exists within us that yearns for our better humanity and nature. Thank you my friend for sharing your thoughts with me on this piece.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared Carlos. You allowed the reader to fall into your words and thoughts. If we look at the world with hopeful eyes. We can see miracles and thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you CP for taking the time to comment on this poem. I do feel this piece has a hopeful quality to it. I leave it to the audience to determine what resonates most in them from these words. I feel art is just that way. There are times I have written something believing its message is one thing only to realize it may be something altogether different. Whether it is intended or not this poem has an ambiguity to it that even at times stifles me, but always takes me on an ethereal and spiritual journey of colors. Thank you so much again my friend and fellow poet.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Carlos.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you always have such startling phrasing....this poem makes me wonder...does the sunrise dream of sunsets and vice-versa? Do they wish they knew more of each other's dreams?
and as for us humans....do we appreciate either enough....do we stop what we are doing long enough to just gaze for a few minutes...and wonder at how that spirit in the sky gave us such beauty....
and here, we are often so busy we just ignore it and run around in circles.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you J for your always insightful thoughts on my work. I think much like you about the wonders that define these differences. Is there a primal instinct that echoes within us which reflects these two opposing forces? We often equate colors with emotions at our baser level. Red for anger, blue for sorrow, gold for joy. Does nature's colors mirror her emotions? Or is it something more complex as the writer William Peter Blatty hypothesized in his story legion which inspired this poem. Are we the remnants of the fall? The scattered leaves defined by both the creator and his morning star? Which equates to our empathy and indifference. These theological themes which find resonance in Nightfall and the dawn. Are we love? Or the hubris to be greater and outshine it? I say we reside in the middle of this fascinating color palette with the free will to chose the way we will love and how much we are willing to give or sacrifice. I do enjoy reading your writer's eye and the valued insight that often comes with it. I'm a better writer for it my friend.

[John the Baptist]

Perhaps we appreciate the night hours insufficiently because that is when most of us are attending to other things or sleeping. This poem reflects on the mystery of the darkness, the "mystery that aught none ever know." Interestingly, the poem speaks of the colors that pervade between nightfall and sunrise, all of which "awaken to morning star glow." Perhaps we all might benefit by paying more attention to what is ours nightly.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you JB for your comment on this piece. Indeed colors were a vital factor in the theme of this poem. Often we equate emotions with colors. Perhaps nature indulges these primal instincts within us in a sea of tinge and hues. Something to remind us of the beginning of all things. Thank you so much again for sharing your thoughts with me.

[William Michael Reeves]

As I leaf through your poetic leavings, I experienced an exorcism of the darkness leaving only light left from daybreak to nightfall that leaves me in a pile of thought. The moment the sun rises is sublime, as is all the good we do under it. Yet, the rise is an illusion caused by our momentum which should carry us through the night if we choose to hold the righteous ground.

Your poem made me think of Asimov’s ‘Nightfall’. Fighting off the insanity night can bring.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you William for your kind thoughtful comment on this piece. Asimov is one of the great writers of any generation whose work will truly stand the test of time because of the timeless value it has for humanity. Each of us brave enough to put pen to paper strive to reach such excellence. It is our hope to write just one single piece of literature that can profoundly affect a single heart. We never waver towards that goal with many of us not seeing it in our lifetime. We don't write for us, we write for the world. To make one significant single change in our audience, whether it is in their empathy or perspective about humanity. The thoughts you paint illustrate what I yearn for in the work I create. It means the world to me to know. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem.

[sigourney]

I really love the words you use. The description, the feeling of it all makes it nothing but refreshing to read. The contrasts and similarities. Perfect.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for your comment on this poem. It means a lot to me. There are times I try to make a piece of writing ambiguous so that the reader can decide for themselves what its meaning may be, or how it may make them feel individually. This poem has that feel that it can be interpreted in different ways. As a writer and poet it is my hope to make the audience either feel or think deeply about the piece. Doing so gives the work meaning in the heart of the readers. Thank you so much again for your comment.