Summer Leaves
This was supposed to be a colour, and I guess it is, if "Autumn" is a colour. For Poppy's prompt.
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
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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.
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
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (42)
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!
Congratulations on your Top Story
Such a good read and then...summer left! Congratulation on the TS!
Woohoo congrats on top story!!
A great poetic read! Sending gentle vibrations concerning your Dad 💜
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!! 😊
There's a feel of the poet Jean Sprackland in this. Love the play on words. ❤️
Beautiful
Woohoo!! Top story well earned and much deserved!! 🥳🥳
Congratulations on your Top Story🎉🎉🎉
Awesome 🌟 🍁📝✌️🧡
This poem gets me!
Congratulations ❤️
A poignant piece! Summer leaves and autumn arrives : )
Beautiful Top story. Way to go LC.
Hooray! Congrats on your top poem L.C. 😁 🍁
Congrats on the TS.
Ahhhh, so incredible, L.C.! What a gorgeous and emotional experience it was to read this. Stunning work! 💫💞🍁
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
Gorgeous nature poem!!! Loved it!!!💕❤️❤️
Effortlessly delicate. I love so many of these lines!! Swell job L.C 😊👏 and I love the internal dialogue of October - a nice touch.
So enjoyed the double meaning and the beauty of the words, not to mention the dedication! Well done!