Tuesday, October 16, 2007

One Leaf

This is my rage against the dying light:
a shout of scarlet, orange cry of pain
replacing quiet green. A bloody stain,
defiant flag held high against the night.
The darkened winter sky enframes me bright
a burning silhouette, unquenched by rain
a bonfire smoldering in every vein
that once ran green. Though I will lose the fight
and fall to lie in frozen winter earth,
my reds and golds transformed to dun and brown
my flesh dissolved to feed some spring rebirth—
the struggle is its own reward. I die
content to know, before I was dragged down
I left a streak of scarlet on your eye.

--with thanks to Dylan Thomas


If you like poetry, check out the weekly prompt site at Totally Optional Prompts

6 comments:

Lisa Andel said...

Very nice.
I especially liked the last part "I die content to know, before I was dragged down
I left a streak of scarlet on your eye."

Thanks.

Unknown said...

That Thomas poem was one of the first I remember reading those many years ago in my early teens. Your poem is a colorful counterpoint to the original.

Durward Discussion said...

There is a violence to autumn as it strips the trees bare, but it is so beautiful doing it.

bv said...

How talented are you?! love it!!

Happy MM!

bv said...

How talented are you?! love it!!

Happy MM!

Anonymous said...

I ♥ this poem. Very nice!
Happy Manic Monday. My leaf post is here.