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 🍃

[lakinbob]

And in return, the little leaf will explain to you that loneliness passes, that rebirth is a never ending cycle, in both the temporal and spiritual world.

A very good poem here.

[Richard🖌]

My most sincere thanks, Dear Poet : )

Your creative characterization of the "little leaf's" sentiments to me are distinctly entertaining and interesting.

Thank you, too, for such a nice compliment! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Marie-Louise.]

What a sad picture of loneliness, but I know that feeling of kicking the autumn leaves, end of summer, end of a relationship, hands in pockets, collar turned up, kicking the leaves, feeling sorry for yourself. Sadness, loneliness. How sad is that!
Dare I say...Happy New Year. I wish you well Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Lady Marie-Louise : )

With "A Happy First Day Of 2020!"
Thank you for sharing your take on this rather forlorn lille Free Verse piece in homage to sadness.
I think the emotional timbre of your review may be more poignantly palpable than the poem's verses.

I wish thee equally well, M'Dear … thank you ever-so warmly for your always intriguing visit! ⁓ 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.

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Eilis! 🍂

How perceptively stimulating and discerning your interpretations and expressed comprehensions are … it's as though this could have been composed from your very own thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
To be so well and deeply understood is truly an inspiring gift for a writer to receive from such an brilliantly-accomplished artist..
My heart may burst with gratitude from your sheer graciousness in praise and descriptive grasp of how Nature and human nature can so wondrously conspire to spiel a wondrous poetical tale.

Thank you, Dear Poetess … it is a distinct pleasure to serve You! ⁓ 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.

[Karmee]

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🖌]

As, are thine.

[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 🍃