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Sally Murphy, Australian author

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Poetry Friday: Leaf it Alone

October 16, 2020 by Sally

Earlier in the year, I was walking along a city street with my family when my eyes were drawn to a flash of gold in the otherwise bare branches of a tree ahead.  I knew instantly, when I realised it was a lone leaf, that I  had to record it. When I looked for the best angle I realised that the windows of the building behind amplified the bare tree, making that gold really pop out.  Snap, the photo was taken.

But later, when I tried to write a poem to match the photo, I drew a blank.  Writing has been slow for me this year, and I just could not find the words to match the image. So, the phot0 sat on my computer and my phone, waiting.

Then, last Friday, the wonderful Carol Varsalona, asked if I had anything to contribute to her Abundant Autumn Gallery and I remembered my photo. I knew it was time!  The photo came out and over the next few days, I started playing with ideas. I ended up with not one, but three possible poems for my image.

First this :

Rare treasure

Last leaf

Reflects, resplendent.

 

Then this:

Last leaf reflects

Saying to herself

‘I look grand in gold’.

But, the one I finally settled on was this:

Golden dancer

Pauses, anticipating

one final  pirouette.

 

I’m hoping it captures that image I have (though didn’t get to see) of that leaf finally letting go and spiraling down to the ground.

Sometimes, a poem doesn’t come until it’s ready . You can’t force it – you have to leave it   leaf it alone until it’s ready. Thanks for helping it along though, Carol.

For more Poetry Friday goodness, pop over to see the Roundup, hosted by Janice at Salt City Verse.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: carol varsalona, photo poems, poem, poetry, poetry friday

Comments

  1. Laura Shovan says

    October 22, 2020 at 7:29 am

    Thanks for sharing your process with this poem, Sally. “Golden dancer” is a vivid image and I love the promise of the pirouette at the end.

  2. Matt Esenwine says

    October 21, 2020 at 7:51 am

    I think you finally nailed it, Sally – funny how some poems an take months or even years to materialize, but this one was worth the wait!

  3. Kimberly Hutmacher says

    October 18, 2020 at 9:17 pm

    Just lovely, Sally. She does look grand in gold, and she’ll be a beautiful dancer as well!

    • Sally says

      October 21, 2020 at 7:37 am

      Thanks Kimberly.

  4. Laura Purdie Salas says

    October 17, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    Gorgeous, Sally. I love the one you chose, and I adore that you held onto the image, waiting to give it its moment in the sun–scratch that–its moment in the wind :>)

    • Sally says

      October 18, 2020 at 8:25 am

      Thank you Laura 🙂

  5. Michelle Kogan says

    October 17, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    The leaves fell when they were ready, thanks for sharing all three Sally. I also like the attitude in the 2nd haiku– and the dance of number 3 lovely, along with your pic, thanks!

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you Michelle. It’s a pleasure to have my poetry friday friends dance with me.

  6. Alan Wright says

    October 17, 2020 at 7:25 am

    I have a personal fascination with leaves. My photographic library provides ample evidence of this, so you piqued my curiosity Sally. A solitary leaf depicted with well chosen, yet brief description seemed delightfully appropriate. I particularly enjoyed the final poem. Loved your word play too. It is in the noticing of things others overlook that sets a writer apart. Your keen observation has delivered these wondrous words.

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you Alan. It’s wonderful when the right few words can say just what it is you want to capture.

  7. Molly Hogan says

    October 17, 2020 at 5:21 am

    What a gorgeous photo! I so enjoyed reading the journey of your image and its poem. I have so many photos that are waiting for poems to join them. Your final version is just perfect and gives me hope that some day something or someone might nudge my own hibernating poems into being.

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      Thank you Molly. I like the idea of thinking of them as hibernating poems. They come forth when the time is right. Love to you x

  8. Ruth says

    October 17, 2020 at 2:47 am

    I have often had the same experience of a poem or other piece of writing coming when it’s ready. Thanks for this lovely piece!

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      It’s nice when it happens, isn’t it. Thanks for visiting Ruth.

  9. jama says

    October 17, 2020 at 12:00 am

    Glad you finally found the words for your lovely leaf photo, Sally. Enjoyed all three poems. The second one made me smile (I love her confidence), and I like the dancer’s pirouette in the third. Thank you!

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      And thank you, Jama, for visiting and enjoying.

  10. Jama Rattigan says

    October 16, 2020 at 11:17 pm

    I’m glad you finally found the words for your wonderful leaf photo. I enjoyed all three poems. The second made me smile, as did the third with that one final pirouette. Nice work!!

  11. Linda Baie says

    October 16, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    How great that you waited for just those words that meant much to you, Sally. I enjoyed each one but the “final pirouette.” encompasses all. Anticipation is a lovely thing in life, I think. Happy Weekend!

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:13 pm

      Thankyou Linda. And the same to you x

  12. janice scully says

    October 16, 2020 at 10:59 pm

    Loved your pun, “leaf it alone.” It made me laugh. I loved the image of this shining gold leave dancing. Leaves in the fall are like snowflakes all different.

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:11 pm

      Thanks Janice. If I can make someone laugh in 2020 then I am satisfied 🙂

  13. Irene Latham says

    October 16, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    one final pirouette… I love how your poem takes us beyond the frame. Beautiful! xo

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      Thank you Irene x

  14. JAN GODOWN ANNINO says

    October 16, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    How beautiful the creative process, the photo, each poem, especially the piorutte. And evermoreso, the prompt from Carol! Serendipity + artists’ hearts. xo

    • Sally says

      October 17, 2020 at 2:07 pm

      Thank you Jan. Carol is an inspiration of her very own!

  15. Kathryn Apel says

    October 16, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    Your photo reminds me of my time in Adelaide during May Gibbs – and the one big plane tree in the middle of the college… and waiting for (and so glad I could capture!) that last leaf. (In fact, I kept the leaf in my room, when it did finally drop.) I’m so glad you kept working on that poem, because I love the pirouette.

    • Sally says

      October 16, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      Thanks Kat. Yes, it’s funny how when the right word finally comes it seems just so obvious that it’s what was needed.

  16. Carol Varsalona says

    October 16, 2020 at 1:10 pm

    Sally, I am so surprised. I was reading your post and there it was my name popped out at me. I was sitting next to my husband and shared my glee as I read to him. your poems. I do love what you chose and it fits with me thinking these days since I have been leaf gazing. The skydancers are really revving up for a grand ball. I can’t wait for you to send your #imagepoem and I share it in my Abundant Autumn Gallery. Many thanks.

    • Sally says

      October 16, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      I’m glad you saw your name – thanks for inspiring me!

      • Carol Varsalona says

        October 16, 2020 at 8:21 pm

        I love our long-distance connection, Sally. Have a great week.

        • Sally says

          October 17, 2020 at 2:08 pm

          You too Carol. I’ve sent you the image.

  17. Linda says

    October 16, 2020 at 11:10 am

    Sally, a lone gold leaf feels magical as do your poems. I especially like “Golden dancer” It a perfect image. I can just picture that beautiful leaf dancing its way to the ground.

    • Sally says

      October 16, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you Linda. Part of me wishes I got to witness the moment it fell – and part of me likes to imagine it still poised there.

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