I wrote this poem around 1993, and it was published in that same year under the title “RNDM Poetry”. Sr. June Lenzen was the editor. It was part of a centennial celebration to commemorate the death of Euphrasie Barbier, who founded the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). Many RNDMs from around the world, many now deceased, contributed to this volume.
Leaving
It’s starting again
All those leaves
Leaving.
Leaving the branch
That worked so hard to push them through
In an uncertain Spring
Leaving the limb
That sustained them through these brief, crisp months of summer.
I can feel the rip and tear as they part
I can hear them scream as they plummet to the ground
Their yellow-orange-crimson colouring
Leaving a trail of blood.
Leaving a bunch of leafless trees.
And treeless leaves.
I’m not making this up, am I?
It couldn’t be me who resists so much
The change in a life or a season?
Veronica Dunne is a Sister of our Lady of the Missions (RNDM), who has primarily worked as an educator and counsellor in institutional and community based settings in Canada. She has also served with the RNDMs outside of Canada in Senegal, Peru, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
A 2002 Doctor of Ministry graduate from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto, she subsequently served as director of the Doctor of Ministry program at St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her current research interests are in eco-theology and cosmology, and their intersections with indigenous cosmologies and spiritualties.
She presently serves on the RNDM leadership team in Canada.
Beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing this
What a beautiful and realistic poetic expression of fall, experiencing change and revisiting this remembrance of your Foundress, every year. You are a true RNDM led by the woman ahead of her time, Euphrasie Barbier! Thanks for sharing your creativity in this poem!