Fall of the Maple Faeries
The moon had grown fat
hanging heavy with the stars
as a cool yet foreboding breeze
unsettled the little maple faeries
from their wistful slumber.
“We have made our home upon this blessed branch,” said one faery to the rest, “but the voice of autumn calls us on.”
“She speaks in truth,” replied the boldest of the faeries,
adorned in deep crimson, with a sorrowful heart.
“From bud to leaf I have known you all, and a great companionship we have shared. But this new season beckons now. It is time to gather our tears and be brave.”
The little faeries quivered as the light of day slowly appeared and a deep sorrow cast itself upon the branches of their home. A sorrow so heavy that the smallest of faeries — dressed in yellow, but just as fair — felt the need to finally speak.
Her voice was gentle and one of hope as she spoke these words prayerfully and serenely:
“Thank you all for your friendship, as I am grateful for every sister-leaf and feathered friend of this life. I will not mourn today, however, and choose to rejoice and be glad in this day. For I shall not see any of you wither, but only fly.”
And as the day came to a close,
colorful falling leaves glistened in the sunlight
and a song sailed upon the autumn wind whispering,
“Farewell dear sisters, farewell.”
* * *
Fall of the Maple Faeries appears in Symphony of Seasons – an illustrated anthology from Wingless Dreamer Press.
Mary C. M. Phillips 
Your use of white space here is inviting. It is poem, story, prose. Beautiful! This is your right?
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Thank you Linda! Yes, I have a bunch of fable-like poems. This one finally found a home.,
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You are such a gracious lady. I love your work!
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Mary, yet another example of how we see things not as THEY are…but as WE are…CRIMSON is focused on LOSS…like the color of the setting sun. YELLOW has youthful optimism like we get when we see the morning sun and realize we have another day…SHE expresses her GRATITUDE for the friendship she shared with these leaves and invites us to fly with them…WHO knows what will become of their falling and again returning to their soil home…Where they’ll feed another cycle of life…
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Yes to all your observations! Thank you for taking the time to read and ponder. 🧡🍂🍂🍂
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Mary, my animus welcomes opportunities to fellowship with…find balance with…those who live in awareness of and share their anima or “soul.” I sought this out in my 20’s…and it has awakened again in recent years. In my earlier years, I found it only among women. At parties with friends, I would move to the kitchen to be in the company of the women where I’d experience a deeper dimension of life. At that time, I didn’t understand why I was drawn there.
Many years later, as I’ve come to recognize my soul’s need for nourishment, I’m trying to spend more time with people who are also aware of their spiritual hunger. And, happily, I’ve found men to experience this with.
This is why I enjoy your caffeinated epiphanies…Begone, Decafers! Hit me with your best shot…Expresso yourself!
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