Blog no 190 Wind Callls the Leaves to Whisper and Dance

WIND CALLS THE LEAVES TO WHISPER AND DANCE

Writing poems for younger readers is a good challenge as it demands a simpler approach- that is the end result needs a certain clarity while still being evocative. There is an unfortunate tendency (possibly brought on by academic essay writing on poetry) to believe that profundity in poetry can be equated with obscurity. The short lines in this poem get their form from a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed and various variants on this- Come, leaves on the branches, And play the wind's secret, soft song. The consonants in the poem try to evoke the rustling sounds of leaves in the wind.

WIND CALLS THE LEAVES TO WHISPER AND DANCE

Come, leaves on the branches,

Come shiver and whisper,

And play the wind's secret, soft song.

Green clusters on trees,

Come flutter and bustle,

And hustle and rustle,

Sing to the songs of air's choice,

Be the wind's voice!

Come fallen, dead leaves,

Come dance the wind dance,

Stir to the wind's unseen touch.

Come fading, dry leaves,

Come twirling and swirling,

Scattering, whirling,

And dance to the wind's secret beat,

Be the wind's feet!