I. arrange me
on a moon-shaped plate-
leaf-curled -
II. empty of seed-pods
the leaf
with still water
withered to ground
III. night wind whistles
as blackbirds huddle
above city street lines-
not a leaf in sight-
IV. a yellow leaf falls
striped, puckered by frost -
followed by another leaf
bright as milkweed butterfly -
V. the clouds are moving -
like bees carrying all the green
porcupine leaves with woolly hairs
VI. spin-dancing leaves
call me
i come over and join them
VII. your kiss,
soft as a pine leaf
budding of spring
rain
VIII. your face,
a leaf
scented by sun
against my palms
my whole world
IX. leaf by leaf
our memories lay
in tidy rows
still
above the black moon
X. i walk under shadows
of trees
without leaves
without ending
Picture credit by : Emily Blincoe
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Meeting the Bar, Hosted by Bjorn Rudberg ~ Inspired by poem of Wallace Stevens - Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird ~
Yes, I knew you would nail the prompt... this is absolutely awesome... I love how my mind wonted to pin a narrative from part to part, and how much more is added by focusing on the leaves... the pictures go perfectly with the prompt-
ReplyDeleteYou just aced the prompt, Grace. I looked at Emily's images again, but could not find my muse, so had to resort to the inspirations within. You had me at the mention of black birds in stanza III. I loved the line /bright as milkweed butterfly/--overall (drum roll) one of your better efforts, really dug it.
ReplyDeleteFabulous word artistry Grace. Love the format and all the leafy perspectives. Excelkent work.
ReplyDeleteSuch imagery here, it's haunting. Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteOh Grace, this is wonderful. To get so much out of a single leaf, you have so nailed this challenge!
ReplyDeleteReally splendid work Grace. Number V is my favorite but all the poems slip in and out of each other in a seamless whole.
ReplyDeleteI liked the spin=dancing leaves in the sixth poem of the set.
ReplyDeleteYou totally rocked this prompt, Grace 💖 each set is as gorgeous as the last!
ReplyDeleteThe leaves sure dance and spread and spread a great one to be read.
ReplyDeleteI loved the spin-dancing leaves that called to you, Grace. Your verses are all excellent. I also love Emily Blincoe's artwork...perfect for your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThe whole world, a leaf. YES. I love where this took you. And I love that Wallace's blackbird made a small appearance. My throwback to him came as Crows. ;)
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful, Grace. The leaf works so well for this prompt. I agree with Bjorn--this prompt is perfect for you.
ReplyDeletetop ten ways of looking at a leaf. nice
ReplyDeleteReally like how you end by walking under trees with no leaves..the absence stronger than the presence. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteLove the image of dancing with the leaves!
ReplyDeleteLead on with our imagination
ReplyDeletethe leaves which drift from you
These are stunningly visual. Well done.
ReplyDeleteQuite a beautiful set of leaf poems!
ReplyDeleteOh these are wonderful --- and blend with the arrangement prompt too. I especially love 4 and 7. A pine leaf kiss ..... And that milkweed butterfly!! Delectable!
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo and I enjoyed all the different ways!
ReplyDeleteQuite the exploration of leaves, Grace. Much to ponder here!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and wistful all at once... I think you nailed this prompt!
ReplyDeletethe clouds are moving -
ReplyDeletelike bees carrying all the green
porcupine leaves with woolly hairs
Love the above, Grace! It gives the contrast asked for while at the same time the relationship and connection is rightly maintained. Wonderful lines!
Hank
oh Grace your still life leaf portraits are remarkable
ReplyDeletethis just took my breath away. soooo beautiful. <3
ReplyDeleteAmazing how there are many options to look at leaves.
ReplyDeleteOh, fall is here. Best time to do this is my opinion.
gorgeous ~
ReplyDelete