Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The Year of No Leaves--By Joan Leotta--United States

The Year of No Leaves

Mom called me. Frantic.
"My trees changed from green to
empty in just one day!"
"Mom," I argued, "perhaps the wind
blew away the leaves."
She insisted, "Not my trees."
I visited. Her sycamore was full of
splotchy yellows, green and brown leaves.
Her maple was a glorious torch of reds.
When Mom awoke she
refused to look out the window.
"The trees are bare."
Thinking her eyesight faulty,
I tried to take her outside
to see, even touch the colored leaves.
She refused, "I know those limbs are bare!"
It was then I realized that indeed
her trees were bereft of foliage,
her mind stripped of memory,
leaving all limbs bare.

(Previously Published, Righter Quarterly, Autumn Issue 2016)

Joan Leotta has been playing with words on page and stage since childhood. You can find her on the beach or online atwww.joanleotta.wordpress.com and Joan Leotta, Author and Story Performer on Facebook.  Her poetry and essays appear or are forthcoming in Gnarled OakRed WolfA Quiet Courage, A-3 Review, Hobart Literary ReviewSilver Birch, Postcard Poems and Prose among others Her first poetry chapbook, Languid Lusciousness with Lemon, will be out in March 2017 from Finishing Line. 

6 comments:

  1. Dear Joan,
    This is a touching poem.
    Thank you for sharing,
    Michael

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  2. Joan,
    A very nice poem. I love the name Joan, one of my Mom's friends is name is Joan Valentino and lived next door to another Joan (whose name I don't know). Welcome to Whispers if you are new, a warm welcome from me even if you are not.
    Your new friend,
    David Fox

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  3. Dear Joan,

    What a joy to see you already have two comments on this heartbreaking reality for many families and their loved ones. Welcome to Whispers! I look forward to reading more of your poetry in the months ahead.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  4. very poignant poem thank you for sharing love and light angelee

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Sharp unique writing Joan, To me"The Year of No Leaves"
      spells out life & caring & losing with a loving heart.
      Thanks for sharing.
      Yancy

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