the Path for Spirits

She hunches, like an old woman,

drops the handfuls

of leaves and blooms and leaves.

No one comes with her;

it would overcrowd.

Alone but not lonely;

lonely but not alone;

she sways.

Her hair is coming loose from its bow,

her bangs hang from her perspiring brow

and the small beads form.

She makes a river of the leaves

and blooms and leaves

them there alone to lead 

the spirits to the woods,

from nothing to the woods,

from nothing to the sun. 

She follows the path back home,

to the home where she is alone but not lonely,

lonely but not alone.

She knows why they ask her to lay the path,

the path that the spirits follow home

from the woods to nothing,

from the sun to nothing. 

Alone but not lonely

or

lonely but not alone. 

Reviews

[CWP]

I agree with the other person. Mind you, I'm not one much for poetry. I adored the word play ("leaves and blooms and leaves"). The imagery was clear. As a whole, you inspired the feelings I remember from walking on my own wooded path, mingled with an air of mystery. In a few words, it was a smashing success.

[Carissa Faulk]

Thank you! :)

[Misery]

A respectful and welcoming poem for visiting spirits. Unique imagery and carefully chosen words. I am glad you have shared this poem with us, it makes me wish I were one of those spirits following her path of leaves and blooms.Thank you, dear poet.