Moderate Living

Hello, I'm Mike – I write every Tuesdays and Fridays

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The Color Of Goodbye

photo by: Michael Williams @moderatelivingblog.com

They say that New Year’s Eve is when we say goodbye to the year. But December is formality. The real goodbye happens in those quiet November afternoons.

When the very last of the golden leaves hold out to be painted by the sun.

That moment is the real goodbye. Quiet, private, unexpectedly stumbled upon. And the world around you both stops – just long enough for your heart to understand.

“From my first bloom in spring, to the shade I gave you in summer, my love for you was a joyful fire.

Before I let go, let these dying flames touch your heart one last time.

It was always your love that made me beautiful.

Be the first sight I see in spring so I can love you anew. “

by Michael Williams @moderatelivingblog.com

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30 responses to “The Color Of Goodbye”

  1. Lori Pohlman Avatar
    Lori Pohlman

    Such lovely thoughts, Mike!

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Lori! happy Friday!

      Reply
  2. Ana Daksina Avatar
    Ana Daksina

    Brother, that was beautiful.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Ana! that a true poet says so is an honor to me

      Reply
      1. Ana Daksina Avatar
        Ana Daksina

        🙏

        Reply
  3. KikiFikar Avatar
    KikiFikar

    This is so beautiful. I teared up too. Lately I’ve been stuck in Buddha’s words “the trouble is you think you have time”. Time just seems to be flying. The final act of the year – when the leaves fall is just a reminder that another precious year is about to pass.

    Thanks for a fabulous reminder Mike! Hope your Friday is amazing.

    ❤️ Kiki

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Kiki! i know right??? there’s something about those afternoon fall sunset scenes that makes you think about finality as a concept. it’s unsettling but …well, we both don’t want to upset ourselves on a friday lol so we’ll leave it at us both knowing what those fall afternoons represent!

      Reply
  4. Nancy Homlitas Avatar
    Nancy Homlitas

    Being reminded of the cycle of life by the “dying flames” of autumn is daunting. Lovely poem, Michael. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you! i bet you are seeing these same last brilliant sunsets where you are Nancy. happy Friday!

      Reply
  5. Nancy Homlitas Avatar
    Nancy Homlitas

    Yes. Our beautiful Red Maple is bare. We had some pin oaks cut down because they got the fungus that’s going around. 😪

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      oh I do hate those tree fungi! that and the parasitical weeds. I lost both of my plum trees to them

      Reply
  6. Hazel Avatar
    Hazel

    Love makes anyone beautiful indeed. Nature’s love is fascinating. We are alive🤩 lovely photos, kuya Mike

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Hazel! you are around so much nature – I bet you must encounter beautiful moments like that a lot 🙂

      Reply
      1. Hazel Avatar
        Hazel

        Whenever I give time, Kuya Mike. It shows its unending love. You’re welcome always.

        Reply
  7. ibarynt Avatar
    ibarynt

    Mike, this powerfully poetic.

    How is it that it was a few days ago I was thinking about Autumn’s end. This season is too short.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      it really is isn’t it? that transitionary period is what makes the fall. everything else – even the earliest and latest parts of it – seem to have been shoehorned into the season for no other reason than to make the time split evenly

      Reply
  8. justrojie Avatar
    justrojie

    the music is super chill even tho it’s called death parade?

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      haha yes – it’s from an anime I watched a few years ago and the soundtrack was 💯

      Reply
      1. justrojie Avatar
        justrojie

        noice!!

        Reply
  9. Claudette Avatar
    Claudette

    It’s true. November gets such a bad rep here in the northern hemisphere but the reality is, cozy season, as the last of the colors fade, has its own unique quality.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      it really does Claudette. and while i’m not big on strict time…seeing those golden leaves is a nice reminder that sometimes, we do have to cast an eye towards the horizon if only for a meaningful moment.

      Reply
  10. mgrecu1866 Avatar
    mgrecu1866

    Beautifully written. November really does feel like the true goodbye of the year—not dramatic, just quiet and almost intimate. There is something deeply moving about the last golden leaves holding on for one more moment before letting go.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      it really does feel spiritual doesn’t it Mira? in a way, i don’t want to stumble into that clearing because it’s sad and upsets me but sometimes, it just finds you

      Reply
  11. Tish Farrell Avatar
    Tish Farrell

    Beautifully put. The quiet retreat.

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      thank you Tish! i hope you are enjoying your weekend!

      Reply
      1. Tish Farrell Avatar
        Tish Farrell

        Cheers!

        Reply
  12. CJ Antichow Avatar
    CJ Antichow

    Beautiful way to switch seasons Mike!

    Reply
    1. Michael Williams Avatar
      Michael Williams

      isn’t it nice Ceej 🙂 do you guys still have leaves hanging on up there?

      Reply
      1. CJ Antichow Avatar
        CJ Antichow

        Not really Mike, just the Mountain Ash in the front yard still has some leaves, they hang on quite a bit longer and even into winter for some reason. Most of the trees are completely bare though!

        Reply
        1. Michael Williams Avatar
          Michael Williams

          oh cool, i didn’t know mountain ash could grow that far up. that they are the ones with leaves left really says something!

          Reply

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