Humanity Leaves
Let me leave the earth better than I found it
By wearing the leaves of listening and empathy
Growing, unfurling, receptive in form and fashion
Let me leave others more comforted than I found them
By sharing the leaves of their pain and longings
Collecting, preserving, validated in their proffering
Let me leave my children deeper than I ever was
By planting the leaves of wisdom and grace
Teaching, sharing, enunciated in my living
Let me leave my lover satiated with our life
By speaking the leaves of trust and worth
Embracing, caressing, empowered in togetherness
And when the leaves of my life cover to the top of my head
I will again return to the dirt from which I am formed
To join all of the layers of the humus of humans
Blowing and swirling gently among the other leaves of humanity.
~SMK
Inspiration: A pile of decaying leaves in a bucket on my patio, and the approaching anniversary of my late husband’s death.
The Impetuarian 
Beautiful presentation of your connection to both the humanity around you and the natural world. And a wonderful tribute to your late husband…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kate, very much. It will be five years this month, so your words have great import.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Click And Color and commented:
Beautiful words in the poet’s own voice.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed listening to you read your beautiful poem…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the reblog! I never know if it is better for the reader to hear me or not 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
My pleasure! I think it can sometimes bring an added depth to a poem when it is read aloud by its creator… I get to hear the natural pauses and emphasis you put on certain words and phrases, helping me understand more fully.
LikeLiked by 1 person