This poem is one about love and how the storms of life can suddenly cause it to be torn from our lives. It is also about those times when we have loved but not been in love. True love is the key, and when it is false, it cannot last. True love is not a game, it is the giving of oneself completely and unconditionally. Without the deep roots of commitment, the weak tree—false love—will surely fall.
A Sudden Fall
We danced in the heat of summer
Around us the air thick and sweet
Embraced in a bittersweet struggle
Ever seeking yet never complete
Moisture clinging to glistening bodies
Grass dark and wet with the dew
Black clouds build in the distance
My eyes seeing nothing but you
Days spent by a river run empty
The sun having dried it away
Still… we held on like a small one
Holds mother’s finger at end of day
Walks to nowhere, stop in a shade
Beneath oaks with arms open wide
Do you love me, you ask, holding breath
I do, yet not knowing… I lied
We sleep, things are moving unseen
In the morning storm comes to call
Love, a dry leaf, flutter earthward
The day dawns on a sudden fall
Copyright © 2011 C. Mashburn
Sharing this poem with the talented folks at dVerse Poets Pub, where Mary Kling is hosting Poetics: Autumn Chill is in the Air.
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Charlie
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Sabio Lantz said
Passionate but the suddenly sad. [“A Sudden Fall”]
Keeping Stevenson’s form was well done !
I wondered how “eyes seeing nothing but you” could change to you lied saying “I do”. Or did I read that wrong?
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment.
Heaven (@asweetlust) said
I like that last stanza ~ Storms can change us yet its also a time for discovery of one’s true self ~ Lovely share Charles ~
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
Mary said
This is beautiful, Charles. The last stanza takes my breath away. “Falls” of all kinds often DO come suddenly, sometimes unexpectedly!
charlesmashburn said
Yes they do. Thank you, Mary!
brian miller said
wow what a close on this one…i do but not knowing….i really like how you let the imagery tell the more of the tale…the dried up river….from the heat of summer….nicely layered…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Brian!
Sherry Mashburn said
achingly beautiful . . .
leahJlynn said
Lovely, I fell in love with this poem
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you like it, Leah! Thank you!
ManicDdaily said
There’s a great deal of truth here – the fear of confessing – of even acknowledging commitment – and how that itself – or the inequality of it – can lead to a storm. Agh! Hope you are well. k.
charlesmashburn said
All is well here, k! Thank you!
Polly Robinson said
Fab final stanza Charles
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Polly!
kaykuala said
Moisture clinging to glistening bodies
Grass dark and wet with the dew
Black clouds build in the distance
My eyes seeing nothing but you
Seems to be building up to some romantic escapades. Or rather having the feelings of fondness for someone dearly missed. Nice take Charles!
Hank
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Hank!
Daydreamertoo said
I agree with you 100%. We can say we love someone until the cows come home and yet, if we don’t give of ourselves that 100% it isn’t true love.
Deep, and thought provoking write.
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m. It has to be all the way, or no way!
Thank you!
Raivenne said
“I do, yet not knowing… I lied”
It aches with honesty. Reminds me of hot summer flings faced with the cool reality of autumn.
charlesmashburn said
Yep. Kinda like that.
Thanks Raivenne!
hobgoblin2011 said
very nice verse Charles. love the end lines in each stanza, especially the first one, ever seeking yet never complete-a perfect phrase in my opinion. Thanks
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciated!
hollyannegetspoetic said
*lump in throat*
charlesmashburn said
Aw, shucks, Holly Anne. I’m sorry!
But thank you!
Gay Reiser Cannon said
The metaphor expresses the sudden changes in seasons and in life. Romance hangs by a trembling stem, a storm rages and summer comes to an end. All captured here explicitly with grace.
charlesmashburn said
You got it all, Gay! Thank you!
The Enfant Terrible said
As others have said, a wonderful stanza to wrap up this piece. I love how you managed to capture the sudden arrival of Fall. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
ordinarylifelessordinary said
Sensual and sad, I especially like the ‘do you love me? I do, not yet known… I lied’
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Vanessa!
ds said
“Ever seeking yet never complete.” So true. And the powerful honesty of “I do…I lied” Not many love poems embrace such contradictions, but this works. Thank you.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, ds!
Sharing love – Sudden Fall | ~ Something Write ~ said
[…] A Sudden Fall by Charles Mashburn […]
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for sharing this on your blog!
kkkkaty said
I like your interesting take on “‘fall” 😉
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Katy!
Nilanjana Bose said
love a dry leaf flutters earthward..the day dawns on a sudden fall….beautiful lines..
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Nila!
Daydreamer said
Extremely romantic… beautiful!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I appreciate the visit and comment!