Prickles the Gust

“How-do-you-do?” the seminal leaves of Autumn wave.
“When would you like to fly away?” prickles the gust.
Maternal-oak holds on tight as one birdy takes flight.

The gust will have none of this ballyhoo, knowing
what he must do, calls for fingernails-on-chalkboard rain,
for the bad-wolf-wind, for lightning, insane.

“Toodle-loo,” says each spiderling-leaf, parachuting to earth.
They make such a scene; whirligig and wandering,
each drenched in colloquial colors, memorable, forsaken.

Each one in turn catches a potential eye even as it lands
in puddles, whirling and twirling, a final splash. They mourn
as blends of orange, yellow and red bleed into the stream.

Undignified, decomposing, going under, all poetry spent,
dwarfing and drifting; washed away down the drain.
Spring regeneration haphazardly avoids loose-leaf goosebumps.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Hind Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 6:44 PM
"Spring regeneration haphazardly avoids loose-leaf goosebumps." I never would have seen it that way- ....:) "what he must do, calls for fingernails-on-chalkboard rain, for the bad-wolf-wind, for lightning, insane." deep, deep thinking
Rodrigues Avatar
November 9, 2024 at 7:31 AM
Thank you so much! I appreciate you so, dear Paige!
Goldsmith Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 1:06 PM
What a fun write. I really enjoyed reading this one. "Good Luck" if it is for the contest... Have a blessed day writing away............
Rodrigues Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Thank you, Paula! No contest. Just for fun.
Buhagiar Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 5:29 AM
Great personification, Kim. Autumn leaves drop and cold abounds. But Spring will arrive.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 6:09 AM
I enjoy all seasons! Bless you, dear friend!
Bell Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 2:05 AM
I'm all for spring regeneration, having been kidnapped from a warm country and brought to freezing Britain. Off to sweep up the colourful leaves now.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 6:09 AM
LOL, stay warm!
Tor Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 1:04 AM
Nicely written Kim. This is a wonderful examples of personification at it's best. Loved your theme and the interaction between the leaves and gust. Really enjoyed reading this one. Thank you for sharing...
Rodrigues Avatar
November 5, 2024 at 6:10 AM
Thank you so much, Mike! :)
Ashley Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 6:18 PM
Dear Kim, I'm always in awe of your creative use of vivid language and vibrant imagery. Every stanza in this amazing poem holds special poetic moments that delight my imagination, stir my emotions and tickle my senses. Great use of personification! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Rodrigues Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 7:37 PM
Thank you so much, Susan! I appreciate your critique. Hugs
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