The Fall, by Arah Ko
I saved the leaves, plucked them from the sidewalk,
salvation from the rubber soles of children’s shoes.
Mama said they were beautiful, all webbed and veined,
crimson, as if blood pumped through them still
but yesterday I found them shriveled, paper thin and
winter dry, brown, crackling around the edges.
I cried, cradled them in the nest of my fingers,
laid them before the altar of my mother’s feet.
“Oh darling,” she said, plucking me from the floor,
rocking me in a chair as old as I was, “Nothing lives forever.”
Copyright © 2016 by Arah Ko
The leaf image is public domain.
Arah Kois a rising junior at Wheaton College, but she hails originally from Hawai'i. Her work has appeared in Kodon, The Pub, Sub-Creation Journal, Teen Ink, BRICKrhetoric, Crashtest, and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. When not writing, she can be found explaining her name pronunciation to coffee shop baristas, frequenting open mic nights, and searching for the meaning of life, other than 42.
Latest posts by Arah Ko (see all)
- The Fall, by Arah Ko - September 17, 2016
Arah,
Did you write “The Water-Dweller’s Daughter” that was published in Teen Ink? I can’t imagine there are many Arah Ko’s so I’m hoping this is you. If so, I’m hoping you see this and get in touch with me. I am in love with the work and would really like to talk to you about it.
Thank you!!
Hi Brianna,
Thanks for your interest in this work! I did write “Water-Dweller’s Daughter” for Teen Ink, I’m presently surprised you found it. Feel free to email me at arah.ko@my.wheaton.edu, I’d be happy to talk about writing and/or editing.
Sincerely,
Arah Ko