The Red Death

The days grow shorter. With each moon-rise there
are newly deceased leaves resting on the cold,
frost-covered soil.

Their lace-like edges adorned with death's crystal kiss.
Forever red, never green again. Their death paints the forests
with vibrant colors, and no one stops to mourn the loss of life.

The trees let go of their dead outer furs, showing bare, ugly bones.
Their skeletons stand starkly against a pale winter's sky, and
only then does it seem fitting, because the bones now mourn 
the red ones, forever gone.

But after a few bitter-cold months, 
small cocoons start to form along the tree's barren limbs,
promising life during the new season.
They forget their lost red coat and sing for the green yet to come.
For they will look alive again. Forgetting the red death.
Seen as skeletons no more.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Mehta Avatar
January 14, 2014 at 6:33 AM
A fine Ode and congratulations on the fine win Jae
A  Avatar
January 13, 2014 at 2:27 PM
JAE, :) CONGRATS.... Love ~ SKAT~
Ditshwele Avatar
November 8, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Congratulations on your second place win Jae..
A  Avatar
November 7, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Jae * HUGS & LOVE <3 ~SKAT~
Ryerson Avatar
November 7, 2013 at 6:39 AM
I pictured a several beautiful paintings while reading this poem Jae...So glad to be introduced to your fine writing...Congratulations - Tim
A   Avatar
November 6, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Hi Jae, it was nice seeing you on this list... ... CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WINNING POEM!!! awesome :) LUV~ LINDA
Posey Avatar
November 6, 2013 at 11:46 AM
I rejoice with you on your well deserved win. There are many great people here on this site.. Your presence will enhance the flavor of the Poets' Soup. Congratulations, my friend...... Jake
Airgead Avatar
November 6, 2013 at 1:04 AM
Thank you all for the kind words! :) I'm am very happy to have placed at all in the contest. This gives me hope and inspiration to keep writing! Blessings! -Jaé
A  Avatar
November 6, 2013 at 12:26 AM
Hi Jae, , Your first poem on the soup is excellent for the readers!! Stopping by with a nice, sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. Wishing you the best when it comes to your poems. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here. Starting with me. SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you like. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND". Hugs* SKAT
Ligon Avatar
November 5, 2013 at 8:42 PM
I like the image of bare trees like skeletons. Good job, Jae!
Puddifoot Avatar
November 5, 2013 at 4:55 PM
I thought this was a stunning poem; some great phrases - "death's crystal kiss", "sing for the green yet to come" - congrats! :)
Andresen Avatar
November 4, 2013 at 1:23 AM
- Welcome to P-Soup, Jae ! - Nice to read your first poem here. - Hope you will have much pleasure to be with us. - Wishing you good luck - have a nice day! - (Comment on the poetry of others and they will comment on yours). - My first greeting to you from Norway. - I will come back to read more.... another day :) - oxox / /Anne-Lise :)
A   Avatar
November 3, 2013 at 9:07 PM
Hello Jae, back here again...such deep imagery and words... thanks for the epic first look into your poems...LINDA
Airgead Avatar
November 3, 2013 at 9:12 PM
No problem, When I am stressed or just tired of our world being so fake and simple my poems get deeper and deeper haha. Hope you enjoy the ones to come! -Jae
A   Avatar
November 3, 2013 at 8:38 PM
Jasmine, the title seems to be interesting... can't wait to read your first poem... ,, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. Dropping by to invite you to my latest contest. You will find the contest page on the top left hand side* -Looking forward in following and reading your poetry. Hope to hear from you soon. You will enjoy the community, we are one big happy family. (Drama & Love. LOL) ~ Take Care!! From: your new poet friend @-> LINDA <-@
Airgead Avatar
November 3, 2013 at 8:58 PM
Thank you Linda, I am excited to have somewhere to post the poems I come up with in the odd moments of my day. I will be sure to check out your contest! Blessings!
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