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.