When post are very long
it's where I don't belong
because my eyes can't stay
on lines, but sadly stray.
The process frustrates me
so normally I flee.

This time I read them all
but Hopkins' piece would fall
on deafened ears because
there's little that it does
to interest my eyes
or give me wondrous sighs.

I've leafed a little too
but so far there's no brew
that I can leave behind
with pictures, so they'll find
some special memories
to float upon the breeze.

Lightly responding, Daniel  

Good to see your post --I am doing well and I hope your fine as well. Maybe some day I'll be able to get more of the PoemTrain crowd to get on board again. Social media seems to have replaced what we used to have.

Norm

So this post might be interesting. I hope you’ll take the time to read all three poems because there is “messaging” and “method” that  I’d like you to experience. I know people don’t always like “long” posts but give it a try please – it’s three short poems. I want to try to show you how a poem can be “born.” I think in order to fully experience the third poem ("Leafing") you need to read the first two. The first poem (To a Leaf) is a very immature poem my sophomore English teacher made me write and he entered it into a poetry publication and it was accepted. It is a bit childish with trite expressions, a simple meter and rhyme scheme, and I can just smile at its simplicity.  But keep in mind the “Leaf” and “Leaving.” The second poem is by Gerard Hopkins. The poem is quite beautiful and sensitive. Note the “leaving” and nature references as well as the message he conveys. So Norm, being influenced by both these poems (one from the ‘50’s, one from the 19th century),  tried to blend them all together into my poem “Leafing.” You’ll note I mirrored my poem to the Hopkins poem – same rhyme scheme, similar meter and I hope even in meaning and word choices...with a special twist on mortality. I hope you are patient and will read all three to see how  my muse came up with “Leafing.”  Please share any thoughts you have by commenting. 

To a Leaf

Summer comes just once a year,
After all the winter’s grief;
And heretofore a world begins,
The lifetime of a leaf.

At first it suffers through its birth,
It’s colors change its style;
It becomes a sight of beauty,
Like ripples on the Nile.

And through this summer season,
Its color is shimmering green;
It boasts for the tree it lives on,
A victim of sunshine’s gleam.

But now, just like Medusa,
Its life must meet an end;
It hasn’t done much for the world,
It hasn’t made a friend.

It clings to the branch it’s lived on,
And waits for destiny’s call;
I see a leaf’s life dwindle,
I see a poor leaf fall.

© Norman S. Pollack    1957
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Spring and Fall by Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1844 - 1889 
             to a young child

Márgarét, áre you gríeving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leáves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! ás the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sórrow’s spríngs áre the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It ís the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Leafing

Through old photos I did leaf
Some looks, long, while others, brief,
Briefing me on those who’ve passed
Refreshing me so mem’ries last.
I view them now as I grow older
Soon Norm the subject of beholders.
Like a leaf, to a branch I’m clinging
The same one from which I was swinging
Like Whitman of myself I’m singing.
Time gone by I can’t reclaim,
Just hope I’ll leave with a good name;
‘cause with heart and mind I have expressed
It all in verse…with words I’m blessed.
My lines were born, I’ll do no grieving;
So none should mourn, my poems aren’t leaving.

© Norman S. Pollack  2018