RAKE UP THE LEAVES by Julia W. Prentice

Rake Up the Leaves

by Julia W. Prentice

Rake up the leaves, pile them high

Scuffs and crunches touch my ears

As I jump down inside the musty depth

With burnt-orange, ashy sounds

Shake off the gold and brass

The red not brick or barn

Tan and golden gleaming hues

Fill full my hungry, yearning eyes

Their powdery dust pricks nose

Each sense drinks up its own

The wine of Autumn runs in my veins

The vintage aged and bold

Hand pokes inside the pile, so high

My sister searches, tickles me

I burst up and crash down again

Like beluga breaches waves

Drunk with great draughts of Fall

Stagger through the just-dead leaves

Wade through that burnt-orange dust

Each sense reeling with the swell

Autumn sounds full orchestra

Inside my mind it hums

And sings it twilight, saddest song

For all here now, soon gone.

(2002)

Julia W. Prentice: A deeply feeling Cancer, Julia has been writing since her teenage years. She is the mother of three sons, has successful careers in teaching children, interpretation in sign language and assisting persons with mental health challenges to find their own paths to recovery. Living with her love and partner of over forty years has brought contentment and much fulfillment. She writes like she breathes: incessantly, some in ragged gasps, some in whispering sighs, some in mighty shouts. Always she is driven to write. After taking a women’s online writing course she has heard the universe telling her to share her writings. You may find them on her blog "A Shooting Star" here. Additionally, she is working on her first full poetry collection.

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