Leave 2020.
Leave me changed.

Take leave of the Maple, the Oak, the Poplar
the season.

Take leave of idle thought, the long light of summer, the weight of worry.
But not of caution or precaution,
not yet.

Take leave; migrate south soulful goldfinch. Leave room for the cheerful chickadee,
and bold blue jays.

Leave... a place to fill,
an empty seat,
the embarrassment of words.

Leave. No, do not.
Leave summer and sorrow.
Embrace the moment, not the day.
Leave room for bold truth, then move away.

Leave summer behind like an entire tree of leaves
bursting to change; change color, change character,
and fall.

Fall with grace.
No rush.

Fall childlike in the leaves, uncover lost truth,
Create wings for the rising.
Hear the black-robed crow caw loudly in dissent.
Standing sentinel, a court of eight
cries out in support.
Gleeful geese, in perfect ‘V’ formation,
Hail Victory!
Hear the movement,
‘TRUST in nature’

Life leaving is the hardest.

Hold memories, touch them to your heartache.
A red sugar maple, a tawny oak.
A yellow tulip poplar, falling first from low limbs,
reveals a canopy of yellow. Look up and linger.

No rush.

Press the fallen.
Press them gently between words and pages.
Holding place with true color,
as evidence in grateful remembrance.
Take leave from where the mountains meet the sea,
to a place where monuments reflect the republic.
Feel the conspiracy of change rise.
Be constant!
Rise up!

For there is hope in the Leaving.
Eternal hope in the season beyond.

Leafing through a tome of ‘oft read worn pages
a perfect and preserved green leaf of spring
falls free.

There is comfort in memory, and freedom in the leaving....

Mary Ann Roberts lives in Camden