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 🍃

[Cherrie]

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.

[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.

[Iam-me]

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 😇😇😇😋 🍃🌹