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 🍃

[Starbaby]

I can only think of but one criticism of this. It was over too soon. Love, love, love it!

[Richard🖌]

A fine early morn to thee, Lady Lorena🌤️

Ya know? Nothing is more warmly gratifying for a humble bard than being gifted a poetesses' love of his ardent efforts … as you've so succinctly and appreciatively expressed for this rather poignantly rendered piece.
Twenty-eight lines of poetry would be enough for most, and You asking for more is the highest compliment of all.

Thank you, Lorena, ever-so delightfully for sharing your inspiringly gracious and welcome, poetic sentiments! ⁓ Richard 🍂

[Lisasview]

Okay, third read of this Free Verse poem of yours..
At first read I was sure that the loved person had died...but today as I reread this I am thinking...Wait a minute, did this person leave you!!!
Either way I felt the awful pain.
Lisa

[Richard🖌]

LOL, Lisa!

You've about eaten the entire apple one bite at a time! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Lisasview]

Wonderful to first read back my review and then right away read your response...
Connected,read moreWonderful to first read back my review and then right away read your response...
Connected,
L

[Richard🖌]

Nothing's more special than melding⁓*

[Lisasview]

For sure..

[Renée]

I paused, I read, and walked along in those leaves, felt the loneliness.
As always, Sir Richard,
I do enjoy your writing.

[Richard🖌]

L'Chaim, Dear Renée 🥂

Though's been awhile,
you've brought a smile
to an olde bard's face …
for, your special style,
in its soft, warm guile,
is no less'n pure grace!

You've left a lovely atmosphere …
thank you ever-so warmly, Renée ⁓ Richard🖌

[carl]

my apology for emphasizing a minor aspect of your piece. I did read it several times, but see now that my response was not well directed to your main point. Out of respect I have removed my previous review. As you noted that you do not normally review stories, I withdraw my ask that you read mine. Take care - carl

[Richard🖌]

Thank you most gratefully, Carl,

I appreciate your time spent on my page and wish you peace and happiness throughout the new year.
I immensely enjoyed your excellently penned story, and thank you sincerely for the invitation to share it.

Many blessings to you, Sir! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Miss Sharon]

(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) Oh my goodness. Please pass the tissues. You write with such vivid imagery your reader feels as though they are actually there. Beautifully done my friend! ~Sharon

[Richard🖌]

And, Dear Sharon 🍂

How beautifully and graciously you've expressed your gentle emotion, understanding, and appreciation of this poetically poignant poetic homage to our leafy little friends, the end of a relationship, and the loneliness that so tenderly remains.

Thank you sincerely, Sweet Sharon, for sharing these sad moments with me and for your truly comforting praise … with warmest hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍁

[Lisasview]

I just reread this as I am working on my Free Verse poem..
Empty bed
lone hair
such clear images...
Love it again..

[Richard🖌]

Lisa,
As I love it again that you do. : )

Thanks for taking another bite! ⁓ RJ

[Lisasview]

Always my pleasure..
Lisa

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I like the symbolism you employ with changing seasons. But even as glorious death burned in autumn colors; even as those leaves grew brown and crumbled, they fertilized the roots and fed the tree and kept it warm through winter until the hope of new life in Spring. That single strand of hair though...
I enjoyed this.

[Richard🖌]

My sincere thanks, Fabian 🤜✫🤛

Seeing you'd read this one, I'd hoped you might find it enjoyable, at least, and am truly gratified to know you have.
The offside commentary about leaves' uses waxed in poetical timbre … lovely verse in itself.
Ah, yes! Always, a lonely strand of her hair, lest we might forget.

A most fetching review, my new friend; thank you again, most humbly! ⁓ Richard🖌

[lovelymarina]

How can you write something where I feel connected to a LEAF?! This was amazing... We have more in common with them than we think... and we have more in common with inanimate objects than we can imagine..Living the same life ... every day... just in different form...lonely, cold, and repetitive, until we pass... Loved this one Richard.
Marina

[Richard🖌]

Marina Dear 🍂

Though, I'm sure your latent skills are fully capable of writing in such passionate depth as this piece portrays, it is my fervent wish the loneliness that would allow it, you shall never know.

I love your words of insightful wisdom, so concisely bestowed … thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Lisasview]

I love this Richard..especially the end.. "hearts like season..." Oh gosh that is so true!!
The lone hair... remarkable..
What I love is that I get it...

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Lisa 🍂

That you love anything about my simple poetic efforts here is gratification beyond this hopeful bard's expectations, but I'm keeping your every word. ; )

Oh yes, Lisa, the wind-up is my favorite part, too.
Seems we see eye-to-eye … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃