Paul Willason Poet Free verse

The Last Leaf

I smile at myself
for being so sentimental,
but how lonely it looks -
the last leaf 
on the cherry tree.

Its countless companions
who shared and hung together 
through months of heat,
furious winds and battering hail,
have all let go.

And you, the solitary survivor
now, hangs as a sad reminder
of all that was, the vigor
that once swelled a sweetness 
through an abundant crop.

Shall I take pity and pluck you
from the branch, or just let be, 
until one cold morning 
I'll find you gone and a bare,
leafless cherry tree.

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Jeanette Swan April 25, 2024 at 5:58 AM A very poignant poem, beautifully written. My mother died recently, with dementia. You have captured that feeling too. The last goodbye - timely, but still sad. On another note, glad to find someone else in Autumn in Australia :) Paul Willason April 25, 2024 at 7:03 AM So sorry to hear of your mother's passing Jeanette, difficult time. The letting go process comes with a mix of feelings, some float the mind without being given a name. Indeed appreciate your comments Jeanette. And yes Autumn is well and truly working its palette and minimalist agenda here in Melbourne. Take care....