Gingko Leaves © 2017 Bo Mackison
DIARY WRITTEN ON AUTUMN LEAVES
(in six parts)
I. there are the dreams
Hold my thoughts
and dreams
as you scatter
take flight
for those of us grounded
II. there is the holding on
Holding on, hanging on.
No stranger to holding on
before letting go of the known.
Change electrifies the sky.
Freedom awaits.
III. there is the ride
It’s your turn to travel
On the winds of time
Gently, freely floating
Sublime.
Letting go
Trusting
Riding the winds of life.
Scatter
leaf dreams,
whirl and chatter,
small red and gold cyclones
grasp wind,
flutter,
let go.
Brilliant leaf
please take my regrets
on the wind.
Let them fall away.
Fall away, let go, ride the air,
So a new year may begin.
IV. there is the dust
Last vestige of Summer
crumples into dust
To augment the new growth
of a new Summer,
As I will augment the growth
of a new generation.
V. there is rest
Signaling change
Ever changing skies
Preparing for rest.
tenderly landing
The leafless branches
like stitches pulling together
land and sky
A thin page of the season
Leaf of gossamer
Holds my gaze, my thoughts, my love
resting, earth to earth
connecting, heaven to earth
VI. there is the quiet
Floating, flying, propelled
into unknown adventure,
Finally to find rest,
lying softly on the earth’s litter,
Cushioned among the other
discarded gowns of summer.
I envy your deep sleep,
the safety of your blanket,
As I trudge on through winter.
there is the quiet
now be
be still in the wind
be still.
Scattering of Gingko Leaves © 2017 Bo Mackison
This poem was written with my Contemplative Creatives Journey (CCJ) online workshop/community. It is a collaborative effort. Together we imagined what diary entry we might write on an autumn leaf. Then I wove together the words of 15 members of the group – this poem is the result. These collaborations are one of my favorite parts of our group and give me such deep joy when I can weave words into one offering. It’s truly a lovely creative practice.
If this sort of thing appeals to you, I hope you’ll check out my coming offering. CCJ Winter begins December 15 and is now open for registration.
