Ghost Writer - Writing with Jen - September 23, 2014

Jen of Blog It Or Lose It  is today's Ghost Writer at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai ... and she's introduced us to an American  poet Sara Teasdale:

" ...[she] lived from 1884-1933.  She published several collections of poetry during her life, including Sonnets to Duse, Helen of Troy and Other Poems, Rivers to the Sea, Flame and Shadows, and Love Songs.  She is probably best known for three poems:  “Like Barley Bending”, “I Shall Not Care”, and “Leaves”."

Here is the poem she's given us to reflect upon and give our impression in haiku form:

"Leaves" (1917)

ONE by one, like leaves from a tree,
All my faiths have forsaken me;
But the stars above my head
Burn in white and delicate red,
And beneath my feet the earth
Brings the sturdy grass to birth.
I who was content to be
But a silken-singing tree,
But a rustle of delight
In the wistful heart of night,
I have lost the leaves that knew
Touch of rain and weight of dew.
Blinded by a leafy crown
I looked neither up nor down -
But the little leaves that die
Have left me room to see the sky;
Now for the first time I know
Stars above and earth below. 

©  Sara Teasdale

Jen goes on to write this:

Rather than elaborate upon the poem, I’d like to know what the poem means to *you*. 

Can you envision the stars, the brown grass at the trees' feet, the liberation of being "leafless"?  What thoughts come to mind when *you* read the poem?

 

this autumn night
under star light standing nude
ecstasy

©  G.s.k. '14