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Since 1900, the Christian Century has published reporting, commentary, poetry, and essays on the role of faith in a pluralistic society.

© 2026 The Christian Century.

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Poetry

Leaving

by Luci Shaw in the October 7, 2020 issue
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Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop. —Rumi

The maple, on this wild
October day, lists each leaf
as it leaves. Each one,
perfectly formed in spring
like a green, newborn baby,
is now an old man,
a wrinkled woman.
To say Fall is to tell truth.

 

This poem appears in the October 7, 2020 issue.

We would love to hear from you. Let us know what you think about this article by writing a letter to the editors.

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Since 1900, the Christian Century has published reporting, commentary, poetry, and essays on the role of faith in a pluralistic society.
 


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