Hanging On
I saw a leaf on the branch of a great tree
wavering in the wind
almost falling,
while others fell easily
to the ground
leaving only this one
refusing to give in
Only a breeze to us,
a fierce force for that leaf.
Its jagged little edges
waved back and forth
in a dance of resistance
As it starts to rain
modest drops seem heavy
weighing upon that leaf,
pushing it even more,
twisting its delicate brown stem
plunging flexibility to a limit
as it struggled to hang on
The morning sun shone impressively
contrasting with night's intense rains
and irate winds
drying up the waters
with its healing temperate rays
I passed by that large tree
the leaf was still there
…endurance was its name.
As the daylight polished the green
over this leaf,
I could almost hear the shouts of triumph:
the trial is over
….conquest of another day
I started to write poetry around 25 years ago. I did not plan it - the desire to write just came to me. Poetry needs to come from the heart, from the soul. It gives us the opportunity to express all the emotions, memories, or sentiments towards something we have seen or experienced. The words can be organized in any pattern we like. Poetry is writing without borders.
I went deep into the world of poetry. I wrote poetry, I created a poetry website, and I facilitated poetry groups at my home. I was invited to be a judge in some poetry contests in Ontario and I published a poetry book called Reminisce.
The constructive feedback I received from belonging to poetry groups helped me improve my poems. I learned that a good poem should be able to transport the reader into the world of the poem. In other words, if the poem is about the sun, the reader will be able to feel the warmth and see the brilliance of the sun when reading the poem.
Writing poetry is relaxing and therapeutic. It allows us to put forth our feelings, in words on the page. I would not say I am a good poet, but I love poetry and enjoy writing and reading it.
In the quiet of your home, give writing poetry a try. There is no need to share it with others. Just do it for yourself. You might be surprised at what you'll come up with.
Tais Lintz
Settlement Worker – Cranbrook
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy
