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Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho

0 posted 2000-05-30 04:31 AM





Last leaf clinging
gazing from dry yellow eyes at
the river below; swaying slowly on old

brittle bones; devouring one more hungry
glance before the snow. Releasing its
passionate clutch on the branch,

it sails in to the wind’s

buoyant face
and gently
tucks in
softly

to
the
laced rich
earth’s embrace








[This message has been edited by Rosemary J. Gwaltney (edited 05-30-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Rosemary J. Gwaltney - All Rights Reserved
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
1 posted 2000-05-30 04:54 AM


WOW!!! what vivid imagery doth this poetess of repute have!!!Honour is all mine to have read this one...

...gazing from dry yellow eyes... releasing its passionate clutch...wind's buoyant embrace...gently tucks in to the rich earth

Wordsworth, are you listening?

True the earth stands richened further by the addition of grace by the yellow-eyed leaf.

I read this each word one at a time, and a couple at a time and three at a time and so on...now you might think I have become psychedelic...

Regards, sudhir

 Hey you, out there in the cold,
Getting lonely, getting old, can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisle,
With itchy feet and fading smile, can you feel me?
Hey you, don't help them to bury the light.
Don't give in without a fight.
Hey you, out there on your own,
Sitting naked by the phone, would you touch me?
Hey you, with your ear against the wall,
Waiting for someone to call out, would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home....

by Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) - The Wall

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
2 posted 2000-05-30 06:38 AM


Wonderful imagery Rosemary!  I often think I hear soft cries in the fall, as they gently say their last goodbyes.  Beautifully written!

Best wishes,
/Kit

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2000-05-30 07:02 AM


Rosemary - Rosemary~
How utterly lovely !
Oh, my what clarity in the nature of
the abundant images in this scene.
Totally alive with the beauty that is you.
~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
4 posted 2000-05-30 07:03 AM


Rosemary,
This is the kind of writing that I know as Rosemary. The essence of your surroundings in words that sing to my heart. Simple and Exquisite
Liz

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2000-05-30 07:38 AM


Very nice, Rosemary.. I like the line "devouring one more hungry glance"...  
SpitFire
Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396

6 posted 2000-05-30 11:12 AM


~Rosemary,...when I read your poetry my voice takes on a different tone. It's the way you write that draws me in...right into the piece, feeling every inch...every little word, image and message.  Gosh,..you are truly gifted. Thank you for sharing this. *Peace.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
7 posted 2000-05-30 04:02 PM


Ah...a lovely poem. You amaze me with your ability to take one small moment and make it into a perfect poem.  
David2
Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 407

8 posted 2000-05-30 04:05 PM


Rosemary,
   This is a beautiful poem! You certainly packed quite a wallop into a few lines. Just wonderful.
                David2

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2000-05-30 04:38 PM


Oh Rosemary, you make your vision so clear that I can see through your eyes, I think...and you see such lovely things!
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
10 posted 2000-05-30 06:50 PM


Rosemary, this is very beautiful and thought-provoking. The last leaf clinging before the onslaught of winter's chill can apply to so many things in life....even our own actions. Excellent work here.
Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
11 posted 2000-05-31 04:26 PM


Sudhir Iyer - your deeply honoring comments mean a great deal to me!  Thank you so much!

Kit McCallum - thank you for telling me you have felt the same poignancy that I have!

Marge - you are so dear, and I appreciate your appreciation!

Elizabeth - bless your heart for taking the time in your busy life to let me know your sweet thoughts about my poem.

Nan - it’s an honor to see you popping in - I thank you much!  I like to find out which lines jump up and mean something to people.

SpitFire - that was really lovely to hear to say that your voice takes on a different tone, reading my poetry.  What a wonder that was to me.  Thank you for your wonderful comments.

Poet deVine - thank you for your comments too.  I really appreciate them.

David2 - and thank you as well, for your comments!  I truly appreciate them!

Martie - and thank you too, my friend.  This particular last leaf happened to touch my heart in a special way, because I saw it as Dale and I were sitting beside a mountain river, two autumns ago, on our second honeymoon, sitting quietly together, while the river crashed along, and both of us writing poetry.  It was such a magical time, and I was so very happy.  And then I happened to see this tree, with only one old brittle yellow leaf left, quivering in the breeze...

Balladeer - your visit, dear sir, is always appreciated.  Yes, I thought of it in several different aspects, but did not expect anyone else to see that.  I have been very, very surprised at the response here to my tiny poem.  And it’s been wonderful!
~ ~ ~


brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
12 posted 2000-05-31 04:42 PM


Last leaf clinging
gazing from dry yellow eyes at
the river below; swaying slowly on old
brittle bones; devouring one more hungry
glance before the snow. Releasing its
passionate clutch on the branch,

a beautiful image. absolutely beautiful...

to
the
laced rich
earth’s embrace

wonderful. I am stunned to silence.


 ------------------------
"Here chewing your tail is joy"

Richey Edwards

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time".

Baltimore Grotto

"Will you accuse me as I hide Behind these layers of disguise And the mirrors of my own happiness.I've loved the freedom of being inside
Need a new start and a different time
Something grows in the space between me
And it's twisting and changing this fragile body" -Nicky Wire



Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
13 posted 2000-05-31 04:44 PM


"...into the wind's buoyant face..."

You weave Magic, Rosemary!

 Sunshine
Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Cerenity
Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 2637
Escondido-California
14 posted 2000-06-01 08:43 AM


Hi Rosemary,

Just simply beautiful, devouring every word.

Love,  Cerenity

angelsamongus
Member
since 2000-05-27
Posts 70
New York
15 posted 2000-06-01 09:18 AM


Rosemary,
You are the poets poet. Such love and care in your chosen words. Beautiful..
~Lori~

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