Gone Forever

Here I sit amongst the long grasses and the reed,
in a solitary place, where my breath is freed,
on an Indian Summer's evening on the lake bed,
autumn has come, yet the warmth has not fled.

Blazing orange skies, are mirrored to reflect,
I cannot imagine a scene being any more perfect,
as I looked up, an unfallen leaf caught my gaze,
spotlighted in the sun's last golden rays.

I noticed this crimson leaf as it began to wave,
the end of a short life that I could not save,
then swept away suddenly by the wind's rake,
and ripples formed as it landed on the still lake.

The leaf was carried away and my eyes followed,
then drowned by the water's surface and swallowed,
windy fingertips tugged it from the branch to sever,
existing once, like today, and then was gone forever.








Note - This was my original idea for the poem "The leaf",
but it was revised for a contest. I just wanted to post both 
versions of the poem.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Ray Avatar
May 19, 2023 at 12:58 PM
absolutely endearing....your poem took me to a memory most precious...born in the desert i had never experienced a maple leaf experience...the emotional depth of your poem brought me back...i became enamored by a maple (Blaze) and watched in wonder as it turned in Autumn...one day in its full glory i spent some time just basking in its' color...that night a tremendous rainstorm took away every leaf....the next day i was devastated..gone were all the leaves, thank you you made my day...love this
Deschler Avatar
November 18, 2023 at 4:25 PM
You're very welcome, Timothy ... Thank you for reading my poem and your lovely comments, as always :)
Duncan Avatar
August 25, 2015 at 12:27 AM
I love this " awesome " thank you for coming to read my Careful poem :)
Deschler Avatar
September 1, 2015 at 1:12 PM
Thank you so much, Debbie. This is one of my favorite poems that I've written. So glad you enjoyed it :)
Maharaj Avatar
March 25, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Love this poem Kelly, i could picture every line.. Congrats on your win.
Deschler Avatar
April 3, 2015 at 1:11 AM
Thank you for your kind comments and congrats. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem, Sasha!
Allison Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 2:51 PM
dropping back with my congrats kelly:-) hugs Jan xx
Deschler Avatar
March 31, 2015 at 2:38 PM
Thank you very, very much, Jan... Hugs :)
Richards Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 10:11 AM
This is so lovely Kelly, and so unique to focus on this one solitary leaf! Love it very much! And also, I'm so grateful to you for my win in your recent contest....it is my honor that someone approved !! Thanks so much.....and again, my congrats to you this time!!
Deschler Avatar
March 31, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Thank you for your nice comments and kind congrats. I'm really glad you enjoyed this poem, Carrie!... Thanks also for participating in my contests. It is always appreciated :)
May Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 9:07 AM
Great write Kelly...Congrats on a great win
Deschler Avatar
March 31, 2015 at 2:18 PM
Thank you very, very much, Joseph.
La France Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 5:01 AM
Kelly, congratulations on your first place win with this beautifully written poem, a perfect 7 . . .
Deschler Avatar
March 31, 2015 at 1:44 PM
Thank you so much for the kind congrats and comments!
Marcum Wong Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 1:18 AM
How a wonderful poem like this could be given an N/A is inconceivable. Congrats on your much deserved First Place Kelly!
Deschler Avatar
March 30, 2015 at 11:23 PM
Thank you so much for the kind congrats, Connie... This poem was given an N/A in one contest and placed 10th in another. So, I am very grateful for this chance to be recognized!
Carmack Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 12:38 AM
Just like the leaf, you have the reader, in the lake. Impressive and congrats.
Deschler Avatar
March 30, 2015 at 10:51 PM
Thank you so much, Rob. I truly appreciate my poem being recognized in your contest!
A. Sharma Avatar
February 2, 2015 at 3:41 AM
Kelly it's an amazing work my dear friend! loved the mention of Indian summer's evening much,, congrats on big win!
Deschler Avatar
February 3, 2015 at 10:24 PM
An Indian Summer's evening is one of the best times of the year... I'm happy that you enjoyed this poem, Dr. Upma. Thank you for your kind comments and congrats, my dear friend!
A  Avatar
February 1, 2015 at 4:07 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, on your win Kelly...SKAT
Deschler Avatar
February 3, 2015 at 10:01 PM
Thank you, SKAT :)
Allison Avatar
February 1, 2015 at 11:44 AM
Simply STUNNING imagery and rhyme Kelly am putting this little beauty into my faves:-) I would have loved to see this place much higher - purely my opinion:-) Hugs Jan xxx
Deschler Avatar
February 3, 2015 at 9:53 PM
Thank you so much, Jan. I truly appreciate your kind words here and the fave! :)
A   Avatar
February 1, 2015 at 10:03 AM
KELLY, CONGRATULATIONS!!! :) Thank you for supporting one of my contest. Stop by my latest blog "Own your Beauty" if you'd like or have time. Have yourself a wonderful day. Love LINDA
Mcconnell Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 9:06 AM
lovely piece Kelly, so well penned with great rhyme. God bless, Gordon
Fleming Avatar
December 6, 2014 at 10:54 PM
Beautiful piece of writing, Kelly. So very expressive! :) john. A 7 for me.
Deschler Avatar
December 15, 2014 at 12:37 AM
Thank you so much for your kind words, John. This is one of my favorite poems that I've written so far. I'm glad you've enjoyed it! :)
Vaso Avatar
October 11, 2014 at 9:17 PM
Gone Forever, will be a poem Forever remembered!!! Beautiful!
Deschler Avatar
October 15, 2014 at 4:55 PM
I hope so, Arthur.... Thank you for your kind words. I was really touched by them!
Mcconnell Avatar
October 10, 2014 at 10:38 AM
nice piece Kelly, really loved the imagery and so cool rhyme makes it so splendid. God bless, Gordon
Deschler Avatar
October 15, 2014 at 12:37 AM
Thank you so much, Gordon. I really do appreciate your nice comments!
Austin Avatar
October 4, 2014 at 8:24 AM
Bittersweet. Good autumn stuff, Kelly. Love, daver
Deschler Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 4:43 PM
Thank you very much, Daver. I really appreciate your kind words! Love, Kelly
Dietrich Avatar
September 30, 2014 at 8:06 PM
gosh, it seems just as good if not better to me, reading it HERE. I wonder what you did different?? I've gotta go take one more look at the contest version again.
Bordner Avatar
September 30, 2014 at 1:39 PM
That beautiful, fiery leaf remains alive in your passionate heart Kelly. Your great skill induces such a vibrant vision in my mind, a wing of flying fire. " Swept away suddenly by the wind's rake..." brilliant. I love the soft touch of mortality. You are a lioness on the lake Kelly...J.A.B.
Deschler Avatar
October 4, 2014 at 12:57 AM
Thank you for your wonderful comments, Justin. I appreciate them so much! I am happy that you enjoyed this poem of mine. :)
Horsman Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 4:07 PM
visualization in words beautiful is this Kelly
Deschler Avatar
October 3, 2014 at 5:19 PM
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Harry. I'm happy that you enjoyed my poem!
Mcdaid Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 4:39 AM
really very beautifully painted piece kelly
Deschler Avatar
October 1, 2014 at 1:19 AM
Thank you so very much, Liam. I really appreciate it!
A   Avatar
September 23, 2014 at 9:27 PM
once again, thank you for the reply on my comemnt. Linda
Wilcox Avatar
September 23, 2014 at 9:02 PM
This is a very nice just the way it is but improving things is a good idea too.I'll go read The Leaf next..
Deschler Avatar
September 30, 2014 at 12:27 AM
Thank you for your kind comments, Charlene. I appreciate it very much!.... I liked the poem just the way it was. But, I had to make the improvements, because it did not fit within the contest rules. Otherwise, I wouldn't have changed a word! :)
Onclaud Avatar
September 22, 2014 at 12:47 PM
you swayed graciously with this stunning write, kelly... i like the whole feel of your piece on a single leaf.. huggs
Deschler Avatar
September 29, 2014 at 6:28 PM
Thank you for your lovely comments, Nette. I'm so glad you liked my poem. Autumn is my favorite time of the year, so this poem was a joy to write.... Hugs :)
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