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

[Susan]

This poems seems so alive to me, I can almost feel those leaves beneath my feet... and hear those hushed whispers. From this point on, I will always "hear" those whispers as I walk... I love the comparision with family, just like a "family tree." Though, the sadness that comes across really does hit me hard. The image portrayed is crushing. Not so softly sad. Clearly achieved your intention with this poem.

[Richard 🍃]

Dear Susan,
Your heartfelt words recognize and seem to actually feel the essence of this poignant Free Verse work.

With hugs 'n grateful blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Eilis]

What a stirring portrait of loneliness. I feel like this is one of the hallmarks of the human condition and that even those of us surrounded by others can experience the same sense. You've painted it with spirit here. There's a stoicism that makes the voice feel like it's resolved, in a way. Or perhaps it's a jadedness. Even when asked, the speaker does not want to share that great space within himself.

I enjoy the way you focus on the leaf/leaves and move out from there to show how much meaning can be imparted to the inanimate things. As poets, I feel like it is often the inanimate things that capture or imagination in novel ways. I am constantly inspired by the unmoving bodies of nature.

This is a lovely, plaintive poem, Richard.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Richard
I love your metaphors; and your use of words to describe loneliness. The poem just flows so well.

[Richard 🍃]

Ah, M'Lady!
That you love anything about me and how it flows … my poetry, is most delightful to know.

Thank you ever-so warmly, Betty ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Terpsichore]

Loneliness is so very difficult to endure, as by it's very nature it precludes the joy of interaction; and how sad it is, that we can feel lonely and isolated in a room crowded with people.

At least the little leaf has the comfort of rebirth.

T

[Richard 🍃]

So,
You, too, know loneliness very well, eh(?) … how it can sweep us into reclusion.

I enjoy your paradigm of the wee leaf. 🍂
Thank you most gratefully for your read and review! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[wordman]

touching piece,even nature is alive with feelings

[Richard 🍃]

Thanks, Ron : )
It's been so long I can barely hold the dogs back!
Isn't it remarkable how poetry allows us to bring anything to life, to gift it thoughts, emotions, and feelings?

Glad you found favor in this poignant little Free Verse.
Be blessed my ol' friend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[wordman]

you`re welcome,i believe everything is alive

[Richard 🍃]

You're literally right of course, Ron,
But, you know I mean alive in the poetical, humanly-mental, and figurative sense. : )

[wordman]

of course,we bring it to you in the writing

[Richard 🍃]

I like the easy way you put things. : )

[wordman]

we paint portraits with our words and thoughts,

[Richard 🍃]

So very true.

[silent k]

Wow! so very powerful as well as the imagery. I can feel the power of a simple little leaf. intrigued by your words, nicely written

[Richard 🍃]

Hi, silent k,
How encouraging it is to receive two reviews in a row from you.
Your words of praise and emotional relatability truly inspire a bard to keep his pen shined and full.

Thank you most appreciatively! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

It's funny how the seasons roll and symbolize moments in life. I have always loved autumn because it has the breath of both a beginning and end, life and death; but most of all, it is a passage of promise. The leaf is life on a limb. It buds and unfurls, thrives, applauds with wind, curls unto itself, and falls to the earth. It can be lifted to sail on the wind or it can be weighted with rain and pressed to the earth like a deep, wet kiss. I was attending a grave-side funeral in autumn, on the cusp of winter. It was a gray, cold day, with a soft drizzle; and I noticed that all of the leaves had fallen from the trees, all except for one. As I stood there in silence, that lone leaf fell and brushed against my arm as it fell to the ground. It was like the soft touch of the one there laying, a final breath of good-bye.

[Richard 🍃]

Welcome back, Linda Marie,
'Twould seem You and I share the same rapport with leaves and seasons, as we do so many aspects, levels, and dimensions of human life and Nature.
Though, we've read and reviewed each other's poetry for years, I've never grown the least bit weary of yours. And, there is no denying the wondrous beauty of this one, in how you've so deeply related to and conveyed your own experience, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. No one else I know of expresses simple things in such tenderly poetic imagery … you bring it all to life with the magick of work paintings flowing and radiating-out from your heart, mind, and soul ⁓ into my own.

Thank you and bless you, Dear Linda Marie, for honoring my humbly hopeful poetry with your uncommonly gentle, endearing touch! ⁓ Love Richard 🍃

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

You're very welcome. Your words are always beautiful to behold.

[Richard 🍃]

Aw,
As are yours.

[Tory]

Something drew me to this poem when I saw the title. I'm very glad I read it. This right here is art. It does have a softness to it, which I love because it emulates the fragility of a shivering leaf. However, the message here on loneliness and loss is very profound. Your words moved me.

[Richard 🍃]

Hi, Tory 🍂
I am so very glad you read this rather poignant little piece, too.
And, I'm so very happy you were drawn by its title to read and leave such a lovely review; but, mostly, that you were able to feel and relate to the soft emotion it expresses in a profound way, that you love anything about it, and for your recognition of my humble effort as art.

What more could a hopeful bard wish for?
Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully, Tory! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[heith.ash]

I felt each and every emotion that the poem portrayed .it's so touching . And felt as if it was speaking my heart.

"Why bother with answers
Would they understand?"
This just touched my heart.How do you explain to a shivering leaf.... lonely as today everyday is going to be.
I just teared up there.
You really have way with words.
It's so beautiful.

[Richard 🍃]

Hello, Heith 🌿
A most warming welcome to my pages, with a bright and happy welcome to The Café … I trust you are glad to be here, making new friends, many fans, and enjoying yourself.

The sincere touch of your words in review sweep through my senses in such a way I know we've connected on a truly meaningful level … what more gratification could a hopeful bard wish for than this?

You've quite a beautiful way with words, yourself. : )
Thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kaede16]

This poem just made me sad. But a beautiful kind of sad. The one that comes with understanding and recognition that we might not be alone in our loneliness. You put into words what many of us feel in a way almost magical. Thank you for your art.

[Richard 🍃]

Hi, Kaede 🌿
Welcome to my pages and to the Café … here's hoping you'll enjoy it here, make many friends, and attract many followers and fans.

Yes, this is a rather forlorn little piece that leaves even me feeling a bit wistful. But, to know you find it beautiful puts a big, warm smile right back on my lips.

Your words assure me we've connected and made me so happy I shared this one.
Big thank you hug! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Ardra]

I was walking and talking to the leaves as i read your words.... mmmm lonliness captured and potrayed...
Could feel the ache of lonliness in your words ..

[Richard 🍃]

Hey, Ardra! : )
It is so nice to see you today … I am very happy you've chosen this rather poignant little homage to loneliness to read and comment on, and that you were able to connect so completely.

Big hug of thanks! ⁓ Richard 🍃