Suddenly they all fell,
hitting the roof of the car like shattered bones,
slipping down the windshield and
getting trapped in the wipers,
helpless like me.
Suddenly they all fell,
swirling in one last do-si-do
blowing past the dog-walkers and bicyclists before
falling into piles in the gutter,
helpless just like me.
Saying nothing in particular 
That’s a very interesting summary of autumn. I like it.
I’d just gotten a cast on my ankle and was sitting in the car waiting for my husband.
You did a great job of preserving that moment.
Definitely a different feel to leaves falling than the usual.
I have a cast on my left ankle and a leg brace on right leg so I was feeling a bit like a fallen leave.
😬. Sorry to read that! Praying for quick, complete healing!
Leaf!
I love your creative spin here, Jan. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely prose.
Just like you. But do you hide autumn dog turds as well?
😉
We were parked in front of the town’s favorite coffee shop where doggy pooping is a hanging offense!!!
Hi Jan, leave it to you to throw a PPP (poetic pity party). Love it! Feel better soon. 🙂
I feel helpless but luckily feeling healthy – according to hospital staff, covid cases are on the rise – they’re expecting a surge.
My township vacuums up leaves a few times each autumn. That is, leaves that homeowners have gathered and dumped alongside the curbs. The vacuum trucks haven’t gotten to many blocks yet. There are millions of leaves, on my block alone, waiting to get sucked into those trucks.
Hopefully they’ll be composted and have another life!
Oh my, not sure I’ve ever read a comparison of piles of leaves in a gutter to a person inconvenienced by a cast & a leg brace. Obviously you’ll rise up again, while the sad leaves will never make it back onto the tree. I think you’re better than a leaf, with more potential. Just saying…
I don’t know if a person is better than a leaf – we’re all intertwined with our own role to play.
Sure, sure. You can get philosophical about it. At least as a person you won’t end up stuck inside the gutter! 😉
I can feel the sadness in your words… sending love 💜
Thanks Willow.There are sad moments and then happy ones and they can all co-exist. I will just have to take it easy for awhile and trust my body to heal itself.
Yes shock will still be with you but recovery will come. I know I have broken my back on two occasions… Learned to walk twice and recovered. I have faith in you , you can do this 💜💜💜💜
I love the fall…can’t help it.
And I loved the poem.
Thanks Bojana. I was mesmerized by the leaves in their final dance. They were actually noisy and they rained down on the car. Nothing quiet about their passing
Hi Jan,
This is one of your better ones. A beautiful snapshot, taken with one of those old Polaroides and you have it in your hand before the thought is finished. Duke
Nicely put Duke. Thanks. I was surprised that the leaves, when they fell, were not silent but perhaps I was still a little dopey.
Lovely poem, Jan, with vivid descriptions of the leaves, and the helplessness of being injured. It is a very unique and intimidating state when one cannot walk, and I sympathize immensely. I do know you’ll be up and walking again, it will take time, but you will. Sending my best wishes.
Thank you Jet. This accident has made me so aware of what handicapped people must go through.
Fall came in with a crash. Still, I like it until it turns to winter.
Fab poem, J.T.! Thank you!
You definitely get the brunt of winter up there! Hope it’s a short and sweet one!
Me Too!!!! x
OMG! A cast on your ankle? Get well soon!
Thanks!
HI Jan, it sounds like you are struggling quite a bit with your broken ankle. You have found a way to relate your own helplessness to the falling leaves and you’ve done it very well. I hope you are better soon.
Thanks! I’m generally a pretty active person so the slowdown has been hard – especially with the holidays approaching.
Oh, I can just imagine. I am the same as you.
Well, a cast and a brace are the best options. That and patience. You will be fine in few weeks. Let the words flow out. They heal too…
Thanks! I had hoped to get in a lot of writing but hadn’t realized how lethargic dragging around two useless legs can make you feel!
I can only imagine. I’ve sprained an ankle bad a couple times. Does drag you down. And that’s just one leg.
Look. I think it’s ok to give to lethargy a bit. After it’s a signal your body sends: “Take a rest”. Nothing wrong with that.
I hope you’re right. Thanks!
Time. Now don’t forget rehab afterwards… Always helps. My eldest brother broke a leg a while back. Couldn’t be bothered with rehab and now his leg hurts when he is not careful.
Lovely. Our gingko is looking great but all the leaves fall at once.
Lovely
Oh jeez, I fell this morning. Didn’t break anything, but it was pretty unnerving. I like your poem, very evocative.
Thanks J! I’m glad you didn’t break anything. This is not the season to be incapacitated. Not that any time is ideal! Have a great holiday season!