September 13, 2020
Ellen Maria Dunleavy
September 13, 2020
Ellen Maria Dunleavy
so much loss
leaves we never noticed
short lived
and gone forever
we mourn
for what’s gone
suddenly aware
that it was and then
was no more
it’s all about us
and not the leaves
nor the tree which
stands steadfast
no matter the weather
or the season
it fears no pandemic
shows no sign of loss at its root,
its branch not
lamenting but
continuing to stretch,
to be, to live
without leaves
I’ve lived in Evanston for almost twenty years. Prior to that I lived in Dublin, Ireland for seven years where I won a prize for a short film I wrote. I enjoy writing, mostly non-fiction, for pleasure.
My poem, September 13, 2020, is reflective of the dark time last year when the pandemic felt for me to be at its worst. In times of great loss it seems we can only look to our faith or nature, or maybe our faith in nature, to give us hope.