Scorched Earth Burned Leaves

Written at the beginning of August, but not posted

a profusion of leaf fall
drifts to litter scorched earth
while straw grass thirsts

trees in our valley
are fooled by prolonged
summer heat

their foliage in defeat
turns after blistering sunburn
to russet and golds

in survival mode
autumn arrives with blue skies
seemingly unperturbed

the balance
has been disturbed
water runs dry supplies dried out

source of the river
once a trickle of playful stream
disappears from sight

and what of us
are we too parched by drought
longing for refreshing rain

Reviews

[DIVYA]

Dear Chris,

A very special poem to read especially now when we are all wishing spring and summer would hurry up and return.

I especially loved this poem for its fantastic description of the summer heat and its scorching, stunning effect on the leaves. Robbed of all the water, everything feels so parched, so done by the heat. And then the seasons change and we're left longing for warmth and the circle of seasons is complete. How symbolic of the constant flux of life.

I'm so happy to read you today and take in the rich meaning in your words in this multilayered poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you divya. Quite a contrast in temperature between then and now. So much heat last summer. We really aren’t used to that on this side of the pond. A special thanks for diving in to the archives. Much appreciated my friend. 🌺

[DIVYA]

It was such a pleasure to read this poem today. Your archives are a treasure! You're most welcome, dear Chris. 🙋‍♀️💕

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely thing to say :) Have another one of these 🌺

[DIVYA]

Thanks a lot, my friend.... :)

[red93]

Excellent Chris and actually shades of TS Eliot's The Wasteland in the final stanza. Nice one ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Wow, Tony. What can I say, other than I am so pleased you stopped by to give such a nice review.
read moreWow, Tony. What can I say, other than I am so pleased you stopped by to give such a nice review.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

5 stars, 3 thumbs up, 100% rotten tomatoes score.

[Chris Shaw]

You are far too generous, but none the less I am delighted and you have made my day.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Chris,
This, to me, is one of your very best, a brilliantly composed tale of a planet swooning. The diction choices superb and the cadence and flow rapturous. I think Tennyson and grandfather would both approve.
Winston

[Chris Shaw]

i am thrilled Winston by your very generous review, especially as this one was heading for the scrap heap.

Many thank yous.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

And I really, really hope you get that rain. (That extends to the American west as well) Mankind can be such fools, messing up Mother Nature with our pollution. It is my hope that things will get better, and everyone's autumn will be glorious. Your poems are always so thoughtful and creative.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sam, since writing this poem which was a few weeks ago, I am pleased to say we have had some rain and the grass is beginning to green. I just feel so sorry for what the people in Pakistan are now having to cope with. Thank you for your visit and your review. It is good to see you.

Chris

[Writergurl]

It is hard to believe Autumn is upon us, I enjoyed your write.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you writergurl. Pleased you stopped by today.

Chris