I Will Grow Again

The effect of autumn upon me

Leaves fall around me 

In my heart as well

The foliage of my life 

I thought so beautiful 

Falls away 

Into nights grown long

Leaving my soul’s silhouette 

Bare against the moon

I retreat into my roots

Sleep long and hard

Dreaming of dives 

Into the Pilchuck

A thousand miles by bike

Deep in woods campouts

Deer and coyote

The joy of running

For a fly ball lost against

The Sun

From here I will grow again

Leaf out in stories of

Me

To show the world

Author's Note

While WC was down I began contributing to All Poetry where a dozen contests come and go daily. I had to write this quickly and enter it unedited into a contest in which we were to describe the effects of autumn upon us.

Reviews

[Lara]

Such a beautiful poem, sun bear.
Seasons of the soul, parallel to a wonderous, (sometimes befuddling) nature). With promised (at least hopeful) revival of brighter spirits. ✨️

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you Lara.

[Emunah June.]

Autumn is such a season that is, in my opinion, the most poetic of all. Its birth and death all in one, reflecting the colours of creation and destruction, beautiful but morose. Its my favourite season! Fun fact: I wanted to get married in Autumn, but got too impatient and chose Spring instead. When I look back on it, I wish Id waited. Autumn especially in New England is stunning!

Your poem does an excellent job reflecting this. Its somber, but tinged with hope and optimism. You give it a very sleepy, ethereal feel, which I think is excellent in acting as a reflection of the season itself. The reader feels that dreamy slowness. Your words are brilliantly forged and expertly expressed, and I am so thrilled I got the honor and joy to read this. Thank you for your time, and more importantly, your creativity!

(Side note, did you place in this contest?)

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you for the very thoughtful review. I was told I was a finalist, now I am going to go check.

[RomaJ]

Such a beautiful reflection. I love how it moves from loss and bareness to hope and renewal...like nature’s own promise to grow again. Truly uplifting.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you Roma.

[Chris Shaw]

Autumn, the season of great beauty as well as decay. It brings melancholy to some, but always in the knowledge to me that there is resurrection and revival. Those leaves that flutter from the tree certainly have an effect on the heart strings. Some very lovely lines here Michael.

Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you Chris. Our words are always appreciated!

[emmajoygreen]

Beautiful and so true to the season. Is there anything more wonderful that the death of the was but will come again in time.

Autumn doesn't need to promise, it pauses a while: a shadow waiting for each year's light.

'Leaves fall around me
In my heart as well
The foliage of my life
I thought so beautiful
Falls away
Into nights grown long'

[Michael Sun Bear]

I like that: a shadow waiting for each year’s light.