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 🍃

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Richard... a heart-felt "prayer" poem that touches
the Autumn of my life with a Song... as Seasons change
and the Chirp of a Cricket seems sad... but yet beckons us to a time when
we will blow in the Wind in gorgeous colors of Apricot and Gold...
tenderly, Pat

[Richard🖌]

Thank you ever-so gratefully, Lady Pat 🙏

Your soft, lusty voice touches deeply and true,
gifting sweetest tastes of ambrosia from You*

Warmest hugs in joyful thanks, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Patricia Wedel]

You are a romantic with your Sonnets... wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving and Holidays. Thank you for your charming words. Autumn is an inspiration. gently, Pat

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh-YES!
The very same to Thee.
Charming? As is thyself, M'Lovely Lady-Poet🥂

[K writes]

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,

Only a leaf knows how to feel when rain hits it, an iscickle hits it, Snow... Coldness presents itself
The mildew, possibly the sun, A warmth feeling....
This is wonderful, I enjoyed this

[Richard🖌]

Hi again, Kay 🍂

Oh-boy! Two reviews in a row from you … what a nice treat.
I very much delight in your poetic take on how leaves feel; quite an impressive imagination you possess … I love it! : )

Thank you ever-so gratefully, Dear Kay, for reading and enjoying this poignant little piece, and for your gracious praise.

With warmest blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[no tell writer]

Explaining to a leaf.. unique title,
I like to write a poem about this title, this intrigued me.
Such a lovely write.

[Richard🖌]

Katzie Dear🍁

I would love to read your poem of "Explaining to a Leaf". I know it would be most delightful in your own words, emotions, and sentiments.

Thank you for you lovely praise … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[.]

In the cold weather leaves tremble as they are frightened of falling down on earth, but to a heart who lost its love and every day is a reminder of that loss, to it, that coldness of falling down on earth can be a blessing, as it can bestow a new lease of life. A new beginning perhaps! Otherwise a lonely pillow is very personal on the love front... This is a very touchy piece of writing

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Dear Dreamer 💫

Your words sigh ever-so softly, warmly, and smoothly unto a bard's grateful heart and soul.

May you never again know loneliness! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kerra]

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,

Such awesome wording here, this is wonderful, I often wonder how to explain to a leaf what rain feels like. Salty tears, of a flood of emotion... This is so good.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Lady Kerra 🌧

Your warm, embracing words are soft as gentle morning rain upon my upturned hand.

Praise will gift you many happy smiles in return! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Suzanne Sonderleigh]

Beautifully written. It takes my hand and pulls me into the cold. Into the wind. Into the loneliness.

[Richard🖌]

Suzanne M'Dear🍁

That the metaphorical emotion and reality of my words have touched you in such a deep manner is praise, indeed, beyond what an humbly hopeful bard could have expected, but coming from You, I'm keeping it, nonetheless. ; )

I was once told there can sometimes be a certain kind of beauty in loneliness, and from your words, I believe it … thank you, Dear Suzanne ⁓ Richard 🍃

[KWP]

well okay - I read the title and had to wonder where you were going to take your words.

it's quite a divine piece of writing - I started out thinking about leaves and their consciousness - and argument well saved for my science studying son - then, you turn the corner to LIFE just LIFE. We cannot escape it, it's here for all of us to soak into and try to make peace with whatever is presented.

on a side note - I do wonder about the consciousness of the plants we eat and where oh where will the moral vegan / vegetarian line be drawn then?

[Richard🖌]

Salutations, Lady KWP 🍁

I'm so very happy the title drew you in;,otherwise, I'd not have received your accolades of praise, appreciation, and insight from your lovely mind.
Your closing line brings to mind an eye-opening book I once read on plant research by two botanists, Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, "The Secret Life of Plants".
I well recall their names and the book title, because they hypothesized that plants are sentient, and backed it up with plenty of hard facts and astounding scientific proof … I've never since thought of, or felt about, plants the same.

Thank you for selecting this rather poignant poem, KWP … I'm so very happy to have shared it with You! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Betty Hermelee]

I love the analogy between between the shivering leaf, lonely in the bitter cold, to the empty pillow that brings shivers and sadness to you. How do you explain your empty feelings to a leaf? But the essence of this poem in on the loss of a loved one, the mundane days as the pass you by with the same strand of hair on the pillow; but as seasons change, so does the heart of a person. Life is always moving and changing, so as spring beckons, perhaps a life lightens up. Thank you for sharing Richard.
Yours truly, Betty

[Richard🖌]

What a beautiful interpretation, Betty 🥂

You've truly unlocked and expressed the very essence of every meaningful aspect of this rather lamentable poem, assuring me we've connected on a rarely realized and relatable level … how wonderful is that!

Bless you, Dear Betty, with warmest thank you hugs all over! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome!