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Summer Leaves

This was supposed to be a colour, and I guess it is, if "Autumn" is a colour. For Poppy's prompt.

By L.C. SchäferPublished 2 months ago Updated 2 months ago 1 min read
Top Story - October 2023
48
Summer Leaves
Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash

Summer leaves

Are green and ostentatious

But fire is the colour of October

Sunset leaves

A beautiful death

Red and orange

Paper thin

Like your skin

Rich brown like your eyes

Bright sun

Warm like your laughter

In a dull, expansive sky.

Empty

Like us

On your leaving.

+

No matter how long the days of summer joy stretch

They always end eventually

But how can I be sad

In October

When I'm reminded of the deepening pulse of life

Its mysteries

Its frailty

Its beauty in brevity

And the echo of your footstep in the crunching leaves

Walking beside me.

+

October is a bright, chilly flame

Mocking Autumn's end with a riotous palette.

Reminds me we are all hurtling in the same direction

Tells us to grab at the dying gorgeousness; the gorgeous dying

Shows me we are not empty; we are filled with fire

October laughs at the spring of me

She says,

Oh! you silly! Green doesn't f a d e

It a w a k e n s into warmth

Sunny yellows, rich browns, blazing scarlet

Then it burns bright and brief and

oh so beautiful

+

Don't cry for change

For the memory of green

Be bold

Grasp the inferno laughing

Delight in it

You might as well

Because

No matter how beautiful it spins out

Summer leaves

++++++++++++

Thank you for reading! Please comment to make it easier for me to reciprocate.

Behind the story: This was inspired by the writing prompt by Poppy

And a dedication, if you like: Dad, you couldn't have picked a more beautiful time of year to go.

nature poetry
48

About the Creator

L.C. Schäfer

Flexing the writing muscle.

Never so naked as I am on a page. Subscribe for "nudes".

I'm also on Twitter if you'd like to connect elsewhere.

I value feedback, and reciprocate reads and comments.

Also writing under the name S.E. Holz

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  3. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  1. Masterful proofreading

    Zero grammar & spelling mistakes

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  4. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

Add your insights

Comments (42)

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  • Andrea Corwin about a month ago

    That was beautiful; in-depth, an ode to Autumn. Loved it!

  • Beautiful… cleverly written… my dear Dad also loved autumn and in his own words “left town” during autumn last year. Here’s to our precious fathers!

  • Naveed2 months ago

    Congratulations on your Top Story

  • Brenton F2 months ago

    Such a good read and then...summer left! Congratulation on the TS!

  • Poppy2 months ago

    Woohoo congrats on top story!!

  • The Dani Writer2 months ago

    A great poetic read! Sending gentle vibrations concerning your Dad 💜

  • Donna Fox (HKB)2 months ago

    This was breath taking!! So beautifully written and elegantly put!! I love the imagery and narrative voice you used!! A Beautiful way to honour the season!! Great work L.C and congratulations on Top Story!! 😊

  • Caroline Jane2 months ago

    There's a feel of the poet Jean Sprackland in this. Love the play on words. ❤️

  • Randy Riley2 months ago

    Beautiful

  • Alexander McEvoy2 months ago

    Woohoo!! Top story well earned and much deserved!! 🥳🥳

  • Congratulations on your Top Story🎉🎉🎉

  • Awesome 🌟 🍁📝✌️🧡

  • AngelBee2 months ago

    This poem gets me!

  • StoryholicFinds2 months ago

    Congratulations ❤️

  • Patrick M. Ohana2 months ago

    A poignant piece! Summer leaves and autumn arrives : )

  • Novel Allen2 months ago

    Beautiful Top story. Way to go LC.

  • Grz Colm2 months ago

    Hooray! Congrats on your top poem L.C. 😁 🍁

  • Cathy holmes2 months ago

    Congrats on the TS.

  • Kristen Balyeat2 months ago

    Ahhhh, so incredible, L.C.! What a gorgeous and emotional experience it was to read this. Stunning work! 💫💞🍁

  • Andrei Z.2 months ago

    O, this is very good! You should write and publish poems here more often😉 Summer leaves - It did. And they blush and flash with all those tints and colours.

  • I really loved how green actually doesn't fade but awakens into warmth! You nailed this challenge!

  • This was beautiful, reflective and poignant. Maybe my favorite autumn poem I’ve ever read. Also it’s perfect because the leaves are already falling at my house

  • Babs Iverson2 months ago

    Gorgeous nature poem!!! Loved it!!!💕❤️❤️

  • Grz Colm2 months ago

    Effortlessly delicate. I love so many of these lines!! Swell job L.C 😊👏 and I love the internal dialogue of October - a nice touch.

  • Dana Crandell2 months ago

    So enjoyed the double meaning and the beauty of the words, not to mention the dedication! Well done!

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