Polish Your Past

Summary

The website content is a reflective poetic piece exploring the symbolism of leaves in poetry and the inevitability of revisiting certain images in creative writing.

Abstract

The article titled "Polish Your Past" delves into the author's fascination with leaves as a recurring motif in poetry. Despite their common use, leaves serve as a versatile symbol for the author, representing change, resilience, and the act of holding on. The text includes a series of short poems that personify leaves, comparing them to faded jewels and glowing embers, suggesting a deep connection between the natural world and human experiences. The author acknowledges the potential overuse of leaves as an image but argues that their rich symbolism makes them an unavoidable and compelling subject for poetry. The piece concludes with a reflection on the use of symbols in poetry and invites readers to consider whether it is necessary to avoid repetition of images or embrace the familiarity of these symbols.

Opinions

The author expresses a personal obsession with leaves as a poetic image, despite their prevalence in poetry.
Leaves are seen as a metaphor for various aspects of life, including change, decay, and the past.
The author suggests that the familiarity of leaves as a symbol does not diminish their impact or relevance in poetry.
There is a recognition that certain symbols, like leaves, are eternally compelling and may be returned to repeatedly.
The piece questions the idea of avoiding overused images in poetry, implying that the depth of meaning they carry can justify their frequent use.
The author values the readers' perspectives, expressing interest in their responses to the use of overused symbols in poetry.

Why do the leaves not drop?

faded leaves cling to sprawling branches

tiny jewels with no sparkle —

the world isn’t how you thought it was drooped down there you see things

differently —

past your prime past your present

glittering gift glow dull embers!

we won’t let you fall

I am slightly obsessed with leaves, even though they are overused as an image in poetry. Falling leaves, the changeability of the seasons, leaves clinging on to branches, leaves lining paths, don’t leave, floating carefree, leaves tumbling to the ground, lightweight, heavy heart, trampled leaves, their crinkling, crunching, scrunching, crackling…

Indeed, the first thing I ever published on Medium was a poem about leaves:

What symbol do you use most in your poetry?

Should we avoid overusing the same images or is it unavoidable to fall back on these eternal symbols time and time again?

Thank you for reading to the end ❤ I’ll be interested to see your response…

Poetry

Polish Your Past

Why do the leaves not drop?

Fickle

A short poem

Introducing Myself to the Illumination Community

An interview with my mirror