6 October 2026 For => 'What We Leave Behind' Poetry Contest 'Sponsored by: Sotto Poet
autumn shakes trees threadbare spent leaves loosen from brittle stems each clinging to its bough waiting for the pluck of the wind to uncover what waits in their axils one leaf lies pressed flat between pages seldom turned sheltered from rain and light its veins mirror buried roots grounded in what it remembers wine stains the glass one mouthful remains untouched thirst lingers at the rim its sweetness deepens in restraint the poised tongue, tastes what it has left behind on dust-laden shelves books keep mementos between well-thumbed pages dog-eared by the aftermath where spines remember the press of hands finding places spent years forget as leaf settles on leaf each layer buries another last laid, first recalled the gathered stack of a life waiting for the scurry of a wanton wind neither dusk nor dawn can deceive me about the leaves I shed, keep, forgo, forget, give away, hold back— each leaf, a page I can't keep.
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.
Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.
