deepundergroundpoetry.com
Leaf Song
I have hiked most of my life—
huffed up hills unawares
of the delicate leaf song
when Grandfather Sun
warmed frost on their bones;
as though a tribe of women
kneading bread in the kitchen—
throated hums echoing
methodical hands in rhythm
There are three score years
and a trillion steps under my belt;
yet, was never aware
of their liminal passage rite
unto the Valley of Death
One lifetime is never enough
to learn, nor appreciate it all
~
huffed up hills unawares
of the delicate leaf song
when Grandfather Sun
warmed frost on their bones;
as though a tribe of women
kneading bread in the kitchen—
throated hums echoing
methodical hands in rhythm
There are three score years
and a trillion steps under my belt;
yet, was never aware
of their liminal passage rite
unto the Valley of Death
One lifetime is never enough
to learn, nor appreciate it all
~
Author's Note
They sing if you listen
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 30
reading list entries 13
comments 52
reads 1269
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Re. Leaf Song
13th Nov 2019 6:09pm
dearest Vati this is so beautiful
a very sacred write
trees are part of my very own soul
they do sing...
I love this...
love Brenda ❤
a very sacred write
trees are part of my very own soul
they do sing...
I love this...
love Brenda ❤
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 6:53pm
Re. Leaf Song
13th Nov 2019 7:52pm
You are right, they do sing. I know their song well . Excellent Ahvanti.
hugs,
buddhakitty.
hugs,
buddhakitty.
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 6:53pm
Re. Leaf Song
13th Nov 2019 8:39pm
I can relate to that never enough time concept...
this was short but outstanding stuff :)
this was short but outstanding stuff :)
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 6:54pm
Re. Leaf Song
Anonymous
13th Nov 2019 8:47pm
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Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:00pm
I do too, sky. There is something about reaching the crest of a hill, isn't there? Your observations are much appreciated. ❤
Re. Leaf Song
13th Nov 2019 9:20pm
"One lifetime is never enough
to learn, nor appreciate it all"
... it certainly feels that way ... maybe the answer is - to see a world in a grain of sand / and a heaven in a wild flower ... I'm not sure.
to learn, nor appreciate it all"
... it certainly feels that way ... maybe the answer is - to see a world in a grain of sand / and a heaven in a wild flower ... I'm not sure.
2
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:03pm
I love that quote, Josh. It's one of my favorites - and regardless,I understood the reference perfectly. Thank you for your perspective. ❤
Re. Leaf Song
13th Nov 2019 9:24pm
This spill caused me to remember the many times i trekked up
Mount Tamalpais, in Marin County, California (the best time to go is when it's raining IMHO)
alone.
Love the last 2 lines as it's so so true
Mount Tamalpais, in Marin County, California (the best time to go is when it's raining IMHO)
alone.
Love the last 2 lines as it's so so true
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:08pm
Sounds wonderful, Tallen. I love hearing the rain hits the leaves - it's communicating with drums.
Thank you for your perspective. Much appreciated. ❤
Thank you for your perspective. Much appreciated. ❤
Re. Leaf Song
You paint a pretty picture.
I hope mountains are fresh to me at 60. I wanna climb again.
I hope mountains are fresh to me at 60. I wanna climb again.
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:10pm
Re. Leaf Song
13th Nov 2019 11:41pm
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:11pm
Re. Leaf Song
14th Nov 2019 00:00am
This is inspirational. Absolutely love how you ran the parallel with the women kneading bread.
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:12pm
Thank you, insidewantsout. I am happy it inspired you. There's something calming and peaceful in methodical beaviour.
Re. Leaf Song
14th Nov 2019 1:12am
yet one life is enough to do all we can, take what we could and leave what we can't
great write
great write
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:13pm
Re. Leaf Song
14th Nov 2019 1:33am
Gorgeous; the spirits of the ancient past always comes to me when I am out in the forest. I love to hike and this just resonated, start to finish 💜.
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:14pm
Yes! Luna, exactly! There are so many secrets the forest whispers it gives me goosebumps. Thank you for your input. It's appreciated. ❤
Anonymous
- Edited 16th Jun 2024 6:45am
14th Nov 2019 5:56am
<< post removed >>
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:15pm
Yes - frost is beautiful to the beholder - yet deadly to Autumn. But then again, it enables the cyble. Thank you, Shannon. Much appreciated.
Re. Leaf Song
14th Nov 2019 9:13am
Re. Leaf Song
Anonymous
14th Nov 2019 11:01am
Great alliteration, consonance and assonance throughout. Well played. xo
1
Anonymous
- Edited 3rd Dec 2019 3:45pm
14th Nov 2019 1:56pm
<< post removed >>
Re: Re. Leaf Song
15th Nov 2019 1:44am
all of this. all of it.
we can only hear when we stop to listen. it requires us to stop 'making noise'... the reward? we are blessed with the song of nature.
just the other morning, after a heavy overnight frost, the sun was out and skies were blue. beneath the maple, i stood still for a moment after filling the dog's food bowl. silence, except for small drips as ice melted from the few remaining leaves and small, dry voices of the leaves themselves letting go and settling on the floor with their brethren. it was magical.
Aha's poetry always moves me.
we can only hear when we stop to listen. it requires us to stop 'making noise'... the reward? we are blessed with the song of nature.
just the other morning, after a heavy overnight frost, the sun was out and skies were blue. beneath the maple, i stood still for a moment after filling the dog's food bowl. silence, except for small drips as ice melted from the few remaining leaves and small, dry voices of the leaves themselves letting go and settling on the floor with their brethren. it was magical.
Aha's poetry always moves me.
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:48pm
Nice you caught that metaphor, Playdate! I really enjoyed your perspective and comment.
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:48pm
Leaf Song
14th Nov 2019 2:20pm
A sobering song, Ahavati! If our own souls fail to sing for the sheer life in them, the very rocks might cry out. In this case, the leaves are already ahead of the game. Your minimalist perspective delivers a world of wisdom to which sober minds can relate.
When I studied experimental music years ago, enjoying the concepts and works of Brian Dennis, John Paynter, Keith Swanwick, and their contemporaries, I saw how composers built silences into their works to accommodate the natural incidental sounds that would flow in while the performers marked time. For me, there was no more silence in the silence, because a leaf could rustle, a bird tweet, or someone's breathing pulse the air and become part of the music.
Wonderful work! I would say leaves have voices, whether or not we take time to have ears.
Sincerely
cab
When I studied experimental music years ago, enjoying the concepts and works of Brian Dennis, John Paynter, Keith Swanwick, and their contemporaries, I saw how composers built silences into their works to accommodate the natural incidental sounds that would flow in while the performers marked time. For me, there was no more silence in the silence, because a leaf could rustle, a bird tweet, or someone's breathing pulse the air and become part of the music.
Wonderful work! I would say leaves have voices, whether or not we take time to have ears.
Sincerely
cab
1
Re: Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:51pm
Thank you, Cabcool. I truly loved your perspective and insight. I also enjoyed hearing about your personal experiences - you are right, there is no silence in silence.
And leaves do indeed have voices - and ears to hear. ❤
And leaves do indeed have voices - and ears to hear. ❤
Re. Leaf Song
14th Nov 2019 10:35pm
Excellent. Amazing sense of a storyteller using a form of music/dance or drama to make a point.
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:51pm
Anonymous
- Edited 25th Oct 2022 6:45pm
15th Nov 2019 1:36am
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Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:51pm
Anonymous
- Edited 18th Jan 2020 5:45pm
15th Nov 2019 3:40am
<< post removed >>
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:52pm
Re. Leaf Song
15th Nov 2019 6:03am
We used to hike in New Hampshire when I was young, it was mostly pine trees on the mountains, but there were so many that it was an uncountable number, like leaves on a tree. It was really a special experience to see the wild on foot and hear its voice, hiking is unique that way..
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 7:59pm
New Hampshire and Vermont have some of the most beautiful autumns in my opinion. I think we're closest to God when we're in nature, because I believe God is all things - us and nature. Therefore, we come closer to ourselves as well.
Thank you for a lovely comment and sharing. ❤
Thank you for a lovely comment and sharing. ❤
Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 2:56pm
The Song of the Leaves of the Trees ...the humming sacredness...resonates the Cosmic Rhythm..& yes, feels them The Kingdom Plantae to be more evolved, spiritual, free than Animalia...not digging much the evolutionary descents & timeline though. Only that wen the heady humans surrender ..in all peace & tranquility to the serene Cosmic Rhythm..from within..as felt around beyond..in such divine sync..we feel them. Such awakening Poetry..in your Wisdom & Poetic Brevity so inimitable, dear Ahavati..Light & Love :) xx
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
16th Nov 2019 8:05pm
Thank you, Uma. Your words themselves are a poem - and you are poetry in your observatory perspective. You always make me feel so special, but mostly blessed when you comment on my poetry.
Much Love and Light, Dear Friend ❤
Much Love and Light, Dear Friend ❤
Re. Leaf Song
20th Nov 2019 9:05am
Dear One, this is so simple yet full of relatable truth. They sing to me all the time when I'm still able to go for my walks in the park. They are not as wild as the forest folk, but they never forget the melodies.
blessed and blessings
Kathy
blessed and blessings
Kathy
1
Re: Re. Leaf Song
20th Nov 2019 2:36pm
Anonymous
- Edited 29th Apr 2020 5:45pm
1st Dec 2019 5:12pm
<< post removed >>
Re: Re. Leaf Song
1st Dec 2019 5:48pm
That is one of the most beautiful comments I've ever received Didi3d! I do appreciate it greatly! I will have to peruse your offerings asap!
Thank you for strolling along with me!
Thank you for strolling along with me!
Anonymous
- Edited 29th Apr 2020 5:45pm
1st Dec 2019 8:03pm
<< post removed >>
Anonymous
- Edited 29th Apr 2020 5:45pm
1st Dec 2019 8:03pm
<< post removed >>
Anonymous
- Edited 22nd Feb 2020 10:45am
3rd Dec 2019 10:35pm
<< post removed >>
Re: Re. Leaf Song
3rd Dec 2019 10:35pm