With puddles and ice
Lining sidewalks and streets,
I remember leaves.
First, the tease of buds.
Then the unfurling of
New leaves, palest green,
Sidewalks awash in bud casings.
Leaves as backdrop to the blooming of
Dogwoods, tulip magnolias, pink cherries,
White pear and apple,
Mauve plum and citrine cassia.
Clouds of petals float to the grass.
A few weeks of sunshine bring
A vast volume of vivacious greens,
Every shade from darkest fir
To emerald maple to dark purple beech.
Every bush from azalea to myrtle
Has its own shade, and I want them all.
A swaying sea of green, a lush verdant
World comes alive for me until
I remember October.
The color crescendo,
The forest fortissimo,
When leaves undress, revealing
Vivid lingerie, from amber to
Ruby, olive to russet.
Remembering them leaves me blue,
A bare tree in winter’s cold.
Waiting.
Copyright 2015 Brenda Davis Harsham
30 thoughts on “Remembering Leaves”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
Beautiful!… Truly touching…. The last two stanzas really stand out!… I much enjoyed it, Brenda… ❤
Best wishes. Aquileana 😀
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Thanks, Aquileana! Always so happy to read your words. Have a great week! Hugs, Brenda
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I can hear spring through your words. It’s coming. 🙂
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It’s coming!! 🙂
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Yes it is. Wow you got a lot of snow there. It’s mild here, but raining. I’ll take it. 😊
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Wow, I could almost feel the breeze in my ears and the sound of leaves swaying and green and sunshine – you transported me there! And then a sadness at the end. That works so well – excellent Brenda!! 🙂
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Thanks, Suzy. I was looking back for a picture to take a break from snow, and I found myself longing for leaves. (Longing-type, see? 🙂
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Haha, I can see!! 😀 I lean in that longing direction too, a lot of writers of poetry do, we’re quite normal!
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That’s right! We’re normal!
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So refreshing – great imagery and just in time to see the newness of Spring!
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Thanks! I’m longing for spring. 🙂
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These are very nice words to think about as spring approaches. Spring is approaching…isn’t it?
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Has to be coming, any day now. 🙂
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Nice word choices miss Brenda! And leaves! I love leaves, especially in Autumn!
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I love leaves, too. I miss their music. 🙂
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and they will come, just when we’ve almost given up.
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Yes, they have to torture us a bit. LOL
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Beautiful words!
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Thank you!
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OH gosh me too! However the last 2 days have been in the 60s yay! I love your poem and today finally I felt the warmer temps and was not heavy with the glum weather! Yay for that! I know that snow will melt and soon Spring and your beautiful trees will be back! yay for that! 😀
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It looks more like spring every day, with sunshine and melting. Still not visible buds, but we’re watching. 🙂
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Oh yay for signs for Spring! Keep your eyes peeled! 😄💗
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oh such a love song to spring! may it come soon~
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Every year brings this miracle. 🙂 Can hardly wait!
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Your bright memories of leaves make me happy with anticipation!
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Yeah! Thanks!
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Today I noticed the first buds of Spring. Hopefully yours will be on the way soon, my friend.
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Fingers crossed! The snow has stayed later than normal, so buds may be later than normal. But I can imagine them. 🙂
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Oh, I love this!! 🙂 It paints such a beautiful picture in my head. I felt I was reading a painting 🙂
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Thank you! I miss leaves. 🙂 I am happy we are in a thaw, though! 🙂
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