You Left Me in Autumn

I wrote this poem as a reflection of my experience of letting go and finding strength. Like the seasons, life has its cycles—autumn represents loss, and spring brings renewal. Both in my personal journey and creative work, I embrace these changes, trusting that growth will follow.

 

You Left Me in Autumn

It was autumn when you arrived.

Yellow was the first thing that said, “Hi.”

Yellow greeted you from the grassy hills, lacking vitality—visibly deprived,

And it greeted you from the fallen leaves that piled up high.

 

Autumn here was different; it was ugly and dried. 

It was unlike the lively green your world supplied.

From your perspective, it was defective.

And so you packed, and you left—never looking back.

 

Couldn't you stay long enough for spring to come?

To see the flowers bloom or feel the warmth of the sun?

Seasons come, and seasons go.

And for new things to grow, first, some things must die.

 

When autumn fades and spring begins,

And yellow gives way to shades of green

I hope someone new will come along

To smell the peonies on my lawn.

 

I hope they’ll stay through all the seasons,

Even when fall comes again with its reasons.

For when the leaves fell, so did my trust,

But I’m learning again to rebuild what's just.

-Emkay

 

 

Read more from Raw & Resilient: Personal Reflections and Healing: The Last Gift From Mom