Grace @ Everyday Amazing
a leaf falls
into a bed of leaves
bruised-black, yellow-starched, pressed
wet on the city’s ground
perhaps one more leaf
will not matter to the harried pedestrians
or window cleaners high up on the buildings
perhaps it will only matter
to the street sweeper or the corner beggar
where 1 is more than a number
chalked on graffiti-broken walls
I pick a red leaf
on my palm it is flaming:
a dragon’s wing, a shooting star, a beating
heart
above the buildings,
our one red mapled-flag is flaring in the wind
it is raised in half-mast this week in respect
to two fallen soldiers
red poppies will soon adorn our lapels.
I am grateful for this autumn sky, brushing
every single fallen leaf
with its glorious soul-print, loyal & true
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub
Yes, a maple leaf for fall as well as on the Canadian flag. What strong imagery in the light of the flag at half mast this week. And then there will be the red poppies. Red is so significant at this time of year & beautiful when it is seen in the autumn skies!
ReplyDeletelove the soul-print of the leaf and the connection to the flag - to the heart that beats and what it stands for
ReplyDeleteAt the moment we are surrounded by leaves, some more beautiful than others. I like how you picked up this maple leaf and make us see it with you.
ReplyDelete"I pick a red leaf
on my palm it is flaming:
a dragon’s wing, a shooting star, a beating
heart" - Great lines, Grace!
A strong & touching tribute, Grace; reminding us that news from yesterday still has validity for us already onto to today's blond, pandemic, school shooting, lying politician, greed, graft, bankruptcy, & celebrity news; nice use of the prompt; thanks.
ReplyDeleteinteresting progression from the fallen leaf...one more not mattering....to those shot....tot he red poppies...all the elements play well together...and makes for a very touching tribute...everyone that falls matters...
ReplyDeleteI pick a red leaf
ReplyDeleteon my palm it is flaming:
a dragon’s wing, a shooting star, a beating
heart
That is magic, pure and simply, magic.
love all the connections you made with a fallen leaf; especially the leaf on the flag raised to half mast for the fallen soldiers... beautifully written, Grace!
ReplyDeleteDear Grace
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely poem about leaves! You know I am so facinated by leaves!
Hugs
JetteMajken
Every leaf has a story a lovely and meaningful poem Grace.
ReplyDeleteA fallen leaf can be like any other until it isn't, all the fallen matter indeed
ReplyDeleteI love Fall and this is beautiful:)
ReplyDeleteGroovy piece. Love the third stanza!
ReplyDeleteThis is particularly beautiful and poignant in view of all that's happened recently. I'm continually taken aback at the talent in the dVerse group.
ReplyDeletejanet
Beautiful, and symbolically beautiful. I was just thinking that the other day, the idea of just one leaf among so many. Wonderfully penned.
ReplyDeletewonderful dedication. incorporatingd the souls lost into the personification of the leaf's soul symbolically is a wonderful touch.
ReplyDeletegracias for your gentle touch
Beautifully set Grace! What an ordinary leaf can mean if one is observant enough. Great!
ReplyDeleteHank
Fantastic, Grace! That leaf really is the color of a dragon wing. Peanut and I traveled recently and the leaves along the road gave us plenty to enjoy on our road trip. Have a beautiful week and thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
ReplyDeleteWonderful imagery! Especially the dragon's wing….
ReplyDeletea soul stirring poem Grace and a wonderful tribute...the red leaf is indeed "a dragon’s wing, a shooting star, a beating / heart"...
ReplyDeleteAmazing.. Indeed, this is mystic... :)
ReplyDeleteEach fallen leaf holds a story...
ReplyDeleteI love the use of minimal punctuation. It lets things flow nicely but not in a way that makes each line/phrase/stanza confusing. I also really appreciate the way you worked in the two fallen soldiers. It was a tragedy, indeed, and at least everyone recognizes the worth of their lives. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThe symbolism of the maple leaf for your country as well adds to your beautiful tribute, Grace.
ReplyDeleteLife is beautiful in the way the Universe exists in the greatest and smallest of things.. alike from galaxies.. to hurricanes.. to nautilus shells to RED veined rivered orbiting maple leaves.. and even human fetuses all patterned alike as ONE..
ReplyDeleteAnd to see the detail of the greatest tapestries of life..as ONE..
Is certainly a way to peace and connection.. just live a life of live...:)
We don't often hear such tragic news from Canada..it's sad to see the violence spread. My favorite line in this lovely poem is the "brushing of every fallen leaf".
ReplyDeleteOne maple leaf is in itself the fingerprints of God. This is a lovely poem Grace!
ReplyDeleteThis is very beautiful, Grace - I love "a dragon's wing".....love the acknowledgment of the half-mast flags for the two fallen soldiers, and the beauty of your closing lines.
ReplyDeleteEvery thing Sherry said. A beautiful pondering poem - my youngest son lately keeps handing me red leaves every day "for you mom" and I put them in a pile - shocking, really how fast they fade.
ReplyDeletethats lovely.....I have always something to learn from you....
ReplyDeleteYes! I can see it too, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove the various images associated with the red leaf, imagine a dragon!!
ReplyDeletewonderful images that honor those gone.
ReplyDeletetouching tribute ~
ReplyDelete