The Fallen

She rests beneath her willow’s weeping rain,
As autumn strips them bare behind its theft;
Of slender leaves and tears, they stand bereft,
Yet sorrow, like the wind, begins to wane.
For all that falls to earth won't fall in vain,
And what escapes our sight has not yet left;
Though heavy hearts must carry now this heft,
It's how we know what’s lost to still remain.

And from the tears, the grieving willow weeps,
Its twigs and leaves descend to softened ground,
Reclaimed by earth and soil from which they grew.
For all that's ever buried merely sleeps,
And what we mourn as lost again is found,
When spring returns, and life begins anew.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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12
Amadore Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 2:33 PM
A masterfully constructed sonnet. Well done and worthy of all its kudos. I very much enjoyed reading it, then reading it again. Thank you.
Meadows Avatar
October 19, 2024 at 12:28 AM
Such a beautiful poem! Well written!
Bergeron Avatar
October 15, 2024 at 4:03 PM
Art truly worthy of its' apex positioning. I gave it a second reading like you would a second piece of Mom's pie. Mmmm...Delicious. Keep falling please. Many want to catch what comes next. With respect, Gilles
Wheeler Avatar
October 16, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Gilles, thank you so much! Your kind and encouraging words have truly made my day! Xo
Valles Avatar
October 15, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Wow. Congrats on POTD. Well deserved!
Wheeler Avatar
October 16, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Tom, thank you so much! Xo
Edmonds  Avatar
October 9, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Lovely poetry Jessica, autumn in the fall is the most splendrous time of all… Beryl
Wheeler Avatar
October 16, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Thank you so much, Beryl!
Stanworth Avatar
September 29, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Love the imagery in this poem. Beautiful
Wheeler Avatar
September 29, 2024 at 6:39 AM
Thank you so much, George! Xo
Gayagay Avatar
September 29, 2024 at 6:01 AM
I love this poem. Beautifully deep. I love the last three lines most of all.
Wheeler Avatar
September 29, 2024 at 6:38 AM
I'm honored, Ryan; thank you! Xo
Campbell Avatar
September 23, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Truly an exceptional piece well constructed and presented. Great job.
Wheeler Avatar
September 27, 2024 at 5:41 AM
Thank you, John. That means a lot! Xo
Junaid Avatar
September 20, 2024 at 9:20 AM
A very deep, thoughtful and touching sonnet. You are full of talent!
Wheeler Avatar
September 20, 2024 at 10:03 AM
Thank you so much! Truly means a lot.
Nyaga Avatar
September 19, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Wonderful Imagery, I loved it..//Blessings
Wheeler Avatar
September 20, 2024 at 10:03 AM
Thank you so much! Xoxo
Valasco Avatar
September 16, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Your poem is beautiful. Thanks for sharing
Wheeler Avatar
September 20, 2024 at 10:03 AM
Thank you so much, John!
Miller Avatar
September 16, 2024 at 1:14 AM
A beautiful sonnet and a well deserved win, congratulations
Wheeler Avatar
September 16, 2024 at 6:51 AM
Terry, thank you so much! Xo
Ashley Avatar
September 15, 2024 at 9:37 PM
Dear Jess, I’m delighted to return with my congratulations for your success in Craig’s contest. A wonderful win, a worthy first place finish. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Poteet Avatar
September 5, 2024 at 7:24 AM
A gorgeous summary, Jessica. Very inspiring and the crux of your piece, The Fallen. I like your choice of the willow as representative tree - it provides some very good metaphors. Well-done.
Wheeler Avatar
September 8, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Thank you so much! Truly appreciated! Xo
Parker Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 5:32 PM
Cycles within cycles, Jessica. A delight. And POTD to boot!:o))
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Thank you so much! Xoxo
Nicole Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Dear Jessica, this is beautiful, tender and emotional; all at the same time. The entire poem is moving, but this thought curls gently around me: ' For all that falls to earth won't fall in vain. ' So very true ! ! Congratulations my dear friend, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Brandy, thank you so much for your kindness and support! I'm truly grateful! Xoxo
Greenhough Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 4:50 PM
This was beauty to my senses. Perfecto. Congratulations on POTD.
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Thank you so much, Hilda! Xo
Bartley Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 2:04 PM
Congrats on your POTD. Very well deserved. Thanks for sharing.
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Thank you! Xo
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 12:34 PM
An appreciative rendering worthy for my remembering, effects it to exist on my Fave list, Jessica. Aloha William
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:52 PM
I am honored, William! Thanks so much! Xoxo
Anaya Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 11:12 AM
Aww, poetry that soothes and enhances the rapturous sense of communing with eternity. A worthy Potd Jessica. Congratulations! Enjoy your day! ~I Am Anaya
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Thank you so much! Xoxo
Elless Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 10:09 AM
Jessica, congratulations on your POTD. With feeling. Beautiful. Have a Great Day.
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:53 PM
I appreciate that so much! Xo
Goldsmith Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 9:44 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. What a lovely write. Have a blessed day writing away..............
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:53 PM
Thank you, Paula! Xoxo
La France Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Jessica, you have penned a truly beautiful poem full of emotion and imagery, congratulations on your well deserved POEM OF THE DAY honor, FAV, blessings, Constance
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Thank you, I'm truly honored! Xoxo
Wolf Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 8:08 AM
The haunting imagery and message of your brilliant sonnet moves this reader to contemplate what he rarely, if ever, bothers to notice -- that which preceded his inconsequential life by eons and will live on eons after he's gone. Bravo, Jessica! (P.S., I prefer 'aeons,' but I don't like those red squiggles under the word when I spell it that way ~ gw).
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:57 PM
lol I truly appreciate that, GW! (And I'm with you on the extra vowel- If only those red squiggles had better taste!)
Ashley Avatar
August 27, 2024 at 5:31 AM
Dear Jess, it’s my great pleasure to return with my heartiest congratulations for your Sonnet’s recognition with POTD honors! Such a worthy and well deserved choice. Your poem is a rich evocative piece that gains depth with each read. Enjoy the accolades and the day! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Wheeler Avatar
August 29, 2024 at 7:59 PM
Susan, your kind words truly mean so much! Thank you for the comment and smile! Xoxo
12
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