Autumn Leaves, after a Rain​, by Ken Gierke

Untitled (acrylic collage), by Ron Schira (USA). 2017. Photo by Ken Gierke of work in his personal collection.

​Autumn Leaves, after a Rain​

Brilliant, you were,
as if light could be material.

An aura is in the eyes of the beholder.
Who is to argue, to quantify?

Does it’s value diminish, the sooner the setting sun?
Even in daylight, you were powerless to delay the approaching pall.

Raindrops accumulate, unless they batter. Both present
a weight too heavy to bear. A separation, on wings drifting down.

The earth sighs to receive you, the remnant of that aura
absorbed, shape and function meaningless.

No chrysalis here, but are you kin to the monarch,
genetic memory a guarantee of your return, come a new season?

Ken Gierke

Ken Gierke started writing poetry in his forties, but found new focus when he retired.  It also gave him new perspectives, which come out in his poetry, primarily in free verse and haiku.  He has been published at The Ekphrastic Review, Vita Brevis, Tuck Magazine, and forthcoming at Eunoia Review.  His website: https://rivrvlogr.wordpress.com/