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Autumnal

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The fragility of a leaf personified.  For Sotto Poet, Autumnal poetry contest.

I remember clinging on to the naked branch, which had been my home since the season of birth. In my days of botanical glory, flourishing and nourishing in nature I would spread my vibrant wings of luscious green, blooming alongside a canopy of compatriots, shading the world from bright sunlight. At night we would shimmer under moonlight, sheltering sleeping nests weaved by 'expecting' birds.  When only baby feathers remained, and as birdfeeders slowly emptied, skies altered their aura in hues of grey, one by one my 'fellow stems' started to fall. Helpless I watched them decay under trampling feet, each step sucking the life from them. Rampant rain arrived soaking the veins of my life, dripping tear drops upon the ground beneath me. I wondered if the sun would return to show mercy, hydrating my crumbling sallowish skin, but in its goodbye, I was left abandoned in the cold. Wondering is this my destiny? A temporary existence - why was I not formed in an evergreen shield? Lost in thought, abruptly, the winds began blowing stronger, rain pelted more persistently - my grip became weaker so I let go screaming I remember falling in slow motion, being blown around, twisting and twirling, up and down, as my  'whole life flashed before me' Car headlights flashing, I was defenceless to my upcoming doom. My end, a predictable fate of fragile vulnerability, was near, as I prepared for my last sigh. but before I took my last breath, I fell upon a brown eyed, giggling child's face, tangling in her curly hair - "Mummy, can I keep it." she asked as she placed me carefully in her schoolbag. in between the pages of her diary..

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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12
Date: 10/7/2023 11:16:00 AM
A fascinating read, S O, and quite creative. I don't believe "leaves" are very often personified in verse.
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Date: 10/5/2023 5:01:00 PM
This truly is a great piece, "blooming alongside a canopy of compatriots, shading the world from bright sunlight" is what you were born to do, but all of these lines are magnificent magnifying the life of the leaf. Something I remembered "Forgiveness is the fragrance the Lilac leaves on the heel that has just crushed it. (Instant forgiveness) What a wonderful thing—Mark Twain... the life of a leaf is very important. Congratulations on your win, loved the ending, should be in a childrens book!
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Date: 10/5/2023 1:07:00 PM
You personified the leaf tragically and beautifully. Those last lines are amazing.
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Date: 10/5/2023 10:45:00 AM
- A lucky leaf ... a wonderful story, S.O. :) - Congratulations on your win :) - hugs
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Date: 10/5/2023 10:09:00 AM
Dear Silent One, congratulations on your win in my contest. This exquisite piece of poetry is a true feast for the senses, overflowing with an abundance of vivid and captivating imagery. Your mastery of language is evident in the flawless composition of this well-crafted poem. Within its verses, you skillfully portray the transitions with such intricate precision, I also like the quote and the video.
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Date: 10/5/2023 8:24:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! What a wonderful write/story. "Love It"  Now I know how it feels. Your pen was working overtime. Have a blessed day writing away....................
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Date: 10/3/2023 10:05:00 AM
SO, my friend, you have taken us on the journey of a lifetime in the transient life of a leaf - from birth to death, friendships and family, hopes to reality, you speak of all life! Love the personification! And, your ending speaks a heartfelt joy of redemption! What a beautiful ending to be saved by a child. One autumn as I was traveling the US doing programs I picked up leaves everywhere I went then preserved them in a collage which I still love - reminders of fall's splendor! Blessings!
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Date: 10/2/2023 5:22:00 PM
A lovely Personification poem, Silent One. I added it to my FAVs list. The U-tube audio was beautiful and very good stage setter for your poem. I loved the positive spin in the end. Every leave should be so lucky (or was it destiny?). A child can share love so innocently. We have much to learn from nature, and children. Good luck in the contest. This shouldn't need luck. Thanks for sharing your immense talent with us. Bill
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Date: 10/1/2023 11:02:00 PM
This poem was such a treat to read.. This is one of the bestest personifications I've read.. The way so profoundly you've described the fragility of a falling leaf and conveyed the vulnerable spectrum of its emotions.. Sigh, so poignant but then again the ending flickers with shimmering hope, as it gets saved by the innocent heart of a lil girl. Amazing this is and definitely one of my top favs from you!! I love so many lines here that it's difficult to quote any one..this has a perfect flow
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Sharma  Avatar
Hiya Sharma
Date: 10/1/2023 11:02:00 PM
I've saving this in my FAVs, keep writing and inspiring us! :)
Date: 10/1/2023 5:49:00 PM
What a wonderful poem, SO. The ending so delighted me as I am the type of girl who likes to pick up pretty leaves and press them in a book. This one is a definite favorite for me. Hugs, SuZ
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Date: 10/1/2023 6:48:00 AM
I believe this one is my favorite of all your poems, but then again, your new poems usually have that effect on me. This is so amazing, beautiful, inspiring - a pure delight to read. It's like a gift, slowly opened, providing so much wonderful surprise in each stanza. I just love this. A fave for sure. God bless you, love, Gina
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Date: 9/30/2023 11:18:00 PM
Only you could come up with something so unique as the Fate of a weathered leaf, blowing to its ultimate end and then getting saved just in the nick of time. So fortunate. I love it a fave for me. Hugs S1
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Date: 9/30/2023 9:29:00 PM
The leaf persevered to cling on to the stem with all its might. But when the weather turned inclement and it started to rain and wind began blowing strong, it lost its hold and slipped down, fortunately landing in the tangles of a child's hair. What a sudden change of fate when the child decided to preserve it. So beautiful, Silent One. Into my FAVE.
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Date: 9/30/2023 9:18:00 PM
Absolutely beautiful. And the ending just made me sigh an awe with love. My fave twinny :)
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Date: 9/30/2023 12:03:00 PM
Warmth and safety at last! A beautiful poem, Silent One. I love how new life began in the delight of a child. :)
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Date: 9/30/2023 11:51:00 AM
Terrific as always, S1! :-))
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Date: 9/30/2023 9:33:00 AM
A beautiful autumnal personification Silent One, splendiferous… Belle
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Date: 9/30/2023 9:31:00 AM
"When only baby feathers remained as birdfeeders slowly emptied.."... how lovely you depicted the scenes that show signs of Autumn...Loved the cute ending too... the mental agony that an autumn leaf or stem would feel just before fall, if only it could 'feel', is so masterfully crafted and portrayed... Such a brilliant personification S1. God bless... ~ Ani
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Date: 9/30/2023 9:18:00 AM
Dear Silent One, you capture the transition from spring bud to fallen Fall leaf with poetic finesse, with sprinklings of alliteration that sparkle and enchanting imagery and stirring questions "is this my destiny?" "why was I not formed in an evergreen shield?" that shine like September sapphires. Your endearing finale warms my heart so especially the last two lines. Exceptional as always my inspiring friend. warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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Date: 9/30/2023 7:33:00 AM
I agree with Tom. Wow your writing is so captivating and diverse. You write in so many styles! What a pleasure to read your work Silent One!
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Date: 9/30/2023 6:03:00 AM
This really is one of your best I think. The ending is sublime.
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Date: 9/30/2023 5:23:00 AM
beautifully written SO, drew mean 'till I became that leaf, cold, shivering, fearful. A poem to make the Red Maple blush.
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Date: 9/30/2023 5:04:00 AM
This is so good. I love your writing! Well done, my friend :)
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Date: 9/30/2023 5:04:00 AM
plucking my heartstrings with this one..nice idea to personify a leaf - i do like personification in a poem, and this one pulls at the soft, sentimental side of me; i'm an emotional wreck at the moment..
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Date: 9/30/2023 4:44:00 AM
wow! a terrific personification with such beautiful lines and imagery. The last few lines brought me to tears...You truly are a masterful and gifted poet. I aspire to write with such artistry. I'm in awe. Am faving this for sure...and the autumn leaves video was perfect. Just can't say enough positive things about this poem. Sara
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