Last Leaf [15 Words or Less]

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. 

One Leaf
Photo: Laura P. Salas

Our maple tree has been bare for ages, except for one or two last, lonely leaves. This image makes me think of several things:

  1. being the last one picked for the team
  2. how a leaf might try to imitate a bird to bring summer back
  3. branches reaching out toward the sun

And here’s my first draft.

winter tree 15wol poem

It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)

PLEASE NOTE: I’m largely off the grid and won’t be able to respond to poems. If I can get Wi-fi, I’ll Like your Comment, and you’ll at least know I’ve read and enjoyed the poem. Have fun!

 

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41 Responses

  1. OOPS! I meant to come back to the same comment box. Sorry about that.

    Jealous

    Of winter branch
    natural beauty
    Stained glass windows
    tantrum–
    throwing
    blue, pink
    and violet
    shade.

    I’m looking forward to coming by later and seeing words of others. Have a good morning everyone

    1. Laura,
      I feel like the tree…stretching high for some sun, hoping winter will just go away quietly from now on. Your poem, perfect!

      Linda,
      I saw the stained glass. So pretty in Laura’s photo. You bring it to life! Kind of when the poems or characters we create demand their due!! You’ve captured that.

  2. Beautiful poem, Laura.

    A SUBJECTIVE WORLD

    Mom sees my pants,
    she rants.

    Stained glass windows, okay.
    Grass stained pants, no way.

    1. Beauty, the eye of the beholder and laundry. Clever twist. Your poem made me smile, Cindy.

  3. Stained Glass

    The master
    places each piece
    side by side
    seeing beyond glass
    into a future.

    1. Margaret,
      I love the idea of vision.…planning, pursuing. So many thoughts “masterfully” woven into your beautiful poem. Elegant, like a mathematical proof.

  4. Laura–your photo is stunning and I love the idea of the tree branches hungry for the sun. I’m feeling similarly these days! Somehow, my thoughts turned to bubble solution and wouldn’t budge.

    Bubble Leaves

    Submerge a branch
    in soapy solution
    Blow gently
    Watch iridescent leaves
    emerge into cerulean skies

    Molly Hogan © 2017

    1. I see this image perfectly, the soapy branch capturing bubbles. Isn’t cerulean a wonderful word to turn over on your tongue?

    2. Really nice, Molly. Iridescent leaves and that cerulean sky, terrific.… you’ve captured the beauty of bubbles on a sunny day and Laura’s photo.

  5. Laura I really like your poem and pic

    Poem By Jessica Bigi

    February

    Black licorices
    branches
    framing tangerine
    skies
    like stingless
    windows
    as I lookout
    upon winters
    Day

    1. I love your black licoice branches, Jessica. Perspective is everything, right. And “tangerine” sky!

  6. I saw soap bubbles too, but I loved mbhmaine’s Bubble Leaves so much, I went with something else. The poems today are fantastic. I hope I have time to come back and comment. I am trying another 6 word hay(na)ku for my poem.

    caught in branches
    cobwebs and
    fog

    1. I love how you saw fog and cobwebs. I’ll have to look at the form. I’m a haiku fan, this is even more challenging I bet.

  7. I LOVE this photograph. Did you use a filter? It’s just exquisite.

    Nature of Reality

    Nature’s cathedral
    drawn on the sky,
    or perhaps
    its reflection.

    1. Yvonne,
      You have reminded me of the gorgeous ceilings in Tuscanny’s cathedrals.….we do need to look up more!!! You also remind me that some of my favorite photos are sky and land reflected in all kinds of water. Lovely poem.

  8. We had warm weather last week but last night it snowed again. It’s that time of year!

    Black branches dream
    winter dreams
    till mother sun
    whispers them awake.

    —Kate Coombs

    1. Oh mama, sing your song!!! Stop those whispers. I’m a little done, but staying strong.

    1. Oooooo, Buffy. Superb. Lovely. Favorites: your title, willow whispers and snug nests.

      Are you maybe going to be playing “basketball” ?
      My little friends are loving there new books, sharing, doing lots of reading. Next, a new bookcase when I can.

  9. Hope Paris is grand! Instead of looking up, I looked down, a frozen puddle reflection of icy beauty. Led me here.

    Venturing Out of my Comfort Zone

    I step
    gingerly.
    You,
    my gentle
    guide.
    Traverse
    icy paths.
    Awake open-eyed.
    Mystified,
    edified,
    gratified.

    This speaks to you, Laura, and others in this nurturing poetry for kids community online and in real time. Thanks, as ever for this space and all the rest.

      1. “Awaken” sounds more like a beginning, which I think is where your poem is going. Poetry constantly takes me out of my comfort zone. I like how timid, but boldly you go and end on gratified.

  10. Lovely poem Laura. Just returning from out-of-town. It’s late but it isn’t Thursday without participating in 15 WOL. At first sight I immediately thought of web worms that we experience here when leaves are still on the tree, and expecting a lush feast .…

    Surprise!

    Larvae patiently
    await unveiling
    from gossamer cocoons
    to realize mother nature’s
    weird sense of humor.

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