Triny Xiang Poet Free verse

Unclaimed fallen leaves

Spring winds clean winter branches
Leaves billow far from home
A maple tree sheds its own in tune
No one is around to collect them
Flat and perfect to be pressed in a book
Unlike humanity’s tree in March
It sheds its leaves year-round
We gather around its floating remains
We mourn our buds yet unfurled
We cry when our crimson leaves fall
But some are not so lucky
Some are unclaimed and unloved leaves
Like dead leaves blown by Spring winds
Ordinary as the ones that pass you by
No one to press them between leaves
They belong to the careless breeze
Free to disappear from existence
There is a terror in freedom
Adrift and alone
With no one to catch one from falling
As our stems fail and we fall
A human fallen leaf is a sad sight
Sadder when no one catches them
No one to press in a folio
Place a gravestone as a bookmark
A novel with pages forever shut
Never to see the light of day
Isn’t it better to land on the ground
With all the other compost?
All the leaves nameless alike
Under the cruel sunshine
Under the cool moonlight
Rather than a maple leaf loved
Safely tucked in a page
Between nine and infinity?
Those who have no one who loves them
Those maple leaves unclaimed
Make the pages for those who are loved
Like fallen and unloved maple leaves
Still making the soil we tread upon

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Daisy Meadows April 2, 2024 at 6:13 AM A brilliant poem and a favourite for me! Triny Xiang April 2, 2024 at 10:17 PM Thank you, Jeanette. Means a lot. I think it's too garrulous. I don't know when to quit.

Stephan McBride March 19, 2024 at 7:25 AM Beautiful poem, your love for humanity is felt through your words to seek better. Triny Xiang March 19, 2024 at 10:12 PM Thank you for your belief in me. I hope to measure up day by day to that kind of love.

Silent One March 16, 2024 at 6:21 AM Ultimately, from me the poem suggests that even those who feel unloved and unclaimed still contribute to the world in their own way, much like fallen leaves enriching the soil. It challenges the notion of worth being tied to recognition or affection, offering a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of empathy and compassion towards those who may feel overlooked or alone. Triny Xiang March 16, 2024 at 8:20 AM Dear SO, I couldn't have said it better myself with fewer words. I always love your synopsis. It sheds light on meanings I have yet to discover.

Ink Empress March 16, 2024 at 12:13 AM What a way to express, the way youv used leaves and trees as an analogy to describe human emotions is beyond impeccable and creative of you. So many lines stood out for me but the line that hit the most was about freedom, and how it can leave one feeling alone with no one to catch them. Ans the way youv painted imagery too is so very artistic and soul hitting. Every word woven here speaks volumes in the most resonating manner in such an evocative rhythm and flow of lines, so seamless. Fave it is Triny Xiang March 16, 2024 at 8:27 AM Thank you, InkE. I'm heartened my poor rendition is one of your faves. You are one of my favs. I was heartbroken and terrified by the book The Unclaimed by Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans. This book follows the lives of people who died alone with no one to leave flowers on their graves.