Category: Nature
The Cremation of Care
Where spiders congregate
in forest deep
Redwoods see the trees
Through thickets thinned
a clearing made as glorious
Rings tossed in for dancing fares and
Gadabouts coming out to play
Shucking worlds’ roles of ruling robes
and cloaks of duty’s calling
they exhale forthwith exalted
Heard afar, a to-whit a-woo, oh who?
An owl carving carefully watches
perched precariously
on precipices of wiley limbs
steady talons tight
Wings spanning centuries wider
han ancient groves
Eyes open spying hunger for
growth satiating
Soon upon some say prey
stirring deep in thicket
Overlord is he
of then and now
and then again unfolding
Wisdom now surveyed
Swooping graciously gathering dust
then flitting off turning all to gold
Once upon a time once more
Settling within the
encampment
a branch on high lowered
Below between
dappled path
A creature begins to stir
Rising up through mire
sweet leaves’ erosion
Earth pushed aside
soft and cool and dark
Rich with promise
a creek runs babbling
On and on
about this and that
Overseeing all
whilst hearing everything of
nothingness of
Hysterical masses soothed by
A gathering brood
Collecting lost souls seeking
all for naught and night breaks
As pyres burn
temptation damned
Where spiders congregate
in forest deep
Redwoods see the trees
Through thickets thinned
a clearing made
Rings tossed in for dancing fares and
Gadabouts coming out to play
Shucking worlds’ roles of ruling robes
and cloaks of duty’s calling
they exhale forthwith exalted
Heard afar, a to-whit a-woo, oh who?
An owl carving carefully watches
perched precariously
on precipices of wiley limbs
steady talons tight
Wings spanning centuries wider
than ancient groves
Eyes open spying hunger for
growth satiating
Soon upon some say prey
stirring deep in thicket
Overlord is he
of then and now
and then again unfolding
Wisdom now surveyed
Swooping graciously gathering dust
then flitting off turning all to gold
Once upon a time once more
Settling within the
encampment
a branch on high lowered
Below between
dappled path
A creature begins to stir
Rising up through mire
sweet leaves’ erosion
Earth pushed aside
soft and cool and dark
Rich with promise
a creek runs babbling
On and on
about this and that
Overseeing all
whilst hearing everything of
nothingness of
Hysterical masses soothed by
A gathering brood
Collecting lost souls seeking
all for naught and night breaks
As pyres burn
temptation damned
souls resign their warrior state
Of this hidden earthly Valhalla
Illuminated from behind celebratory
shadows of power revealed
They came to see the moon.
They came to see the light.
Dancing under spectacle of moonlight wisdom and transforming
souls resign their warrior state
Of this hidden earthly Valhalla
Illuminated from behind celebratory
shadows of power revealed their true power.
They came to congregate.
They came seeking solace.
They came to frolic in celebratory manner.
They came to see the moon.
They,
like us all,
came to see the light.
Deciduous Earth
πππΎπΎβ€ πππΎπΎβ€ Autumn is a delicate shift letting us know that all things change. We rise. We fall. We regroup and rejuvenate. We bloom again. It’s a time to be patient. That yes, brisk days and frosty air are around the corner. If we pay attention, it is
telling us to slow down and appreciate the changes not fear them.
I love the shifting landscape, the way the light becomes golden and soft, the sound of leaves falling as they touch the ground, of them crunching underfoot, kicking them up as I walk through them, the scent wafting up, the ever familiar argument this time of year…yay or nay pumpkin spice, chunky sweaters with jeans and a great pair of boots, cooler days. The bare branches expose the naked truth of the trees. Their character and innermost personality, if you will. Leaves may fall but if the roots are strong survival is imminent. This time of year is magical and I love it, all of it.ππππ¦π
Creekside
“…I release the woes or cares and worries…”
οΏΌ
Summer breeze is reward for Winter’s toil
freed toes delve dipping
into sand once boulders now soft and cool to touch
Purple rocks with driftwood bounty fills eyes as far one can see
Beyond the babble force of once upon gale and rainstorms gathering in deepest pools lending peaceful now to chatter of cicadas before the wake of frogs and half moonlight
Skipping stones across the surface towards otters whose heads pop up like candy gum treats and down again
Sweet and swift the flow of shadowing trees sheltering from a high noon sun and warming skin to the touch
Downstream children splash and chatter about the squishy moss that presses between their toes avoiding logs and rapids
Dappled light tumbles down towards me as I release the cares and woe of worries
A leaf gathers gumption to freely float away taken down by frothy undertow toes quickly bounding up and free from constraints now revel in thriving beyond survival
I am the leaf.
Hallowed Ground
“…still showing life…”
Scattering charred leaves gather in private at the base
of a scarred fairy ring of trees
Grieving over great loss broken in two
to the tune of millions the earth sheds tears
as she says goodbye
to some of the most ancient of
Mother Nature’s creation
Dislodged woodland critters convene
in a grotto that miraculously maintained
a shred of water to quench
their parched and frightened bodies
offering a bit of solace and relief,
if only for a staggered breath or two
Meeting up around the bend
a soft breeze rolls up along the ravine
tired of fanning flames
now rests momentarily among the broken forest
Offering a bit of hope a sparrow
flits and fluffs its feathers
on a remaining branch
still showing life
despite the raging flames unfloundering below
As it sings its saga of the recent days
from a bird’s eye view
Breathing out and in
catching occasionally
A staccato exhale,
she sighs
Another day begins
yielding a growing hope
Pluviophile
“…breathe in the new day…”
Ploviophile
When falling out of sleep
and the land of gentle dreams
faint thoughts of despair for the world growing in me
the previous night turning me over
begin to fade as I step outside
to breathe in the new day
Like an emerging wave
from far away at sea ebbing
I think back to mere hours ago
as I lay awake in the night startled but not surprised at the least sound
inside my head growing
in fear of what my life
may have been or may be,
or even isn’t
Turning it over and over like a cat’s cradle yo-yo, again and again
hanging from a thread, spinning
I go deep in my mind’s eye dreamily
and lie down with wet leaves
where the wooded crane
surveys his beauty
on water’s reflection
nearby the company
of a great heron feeds languidly aptly taking
startled fish down in one swift gulp
I realize how quickly
all things can all change
Coming into peace
among where the wild things are
who do not tax their lives
with forethought
of grief nor ego
I come into the presence of once still water disrupted now by torrential rain and a nearby waterfall swelling down the hill
feeling it cool, soothing as it surrounds with persistent sound and determination
to rush to fill the stream below
I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for dusk with their light
shedding night cloak
hidden by storm clouds and heavy canopy of trees
For a time
I rest
in the grace of the world
and her perpetual nature
and am free
The Cradle of Sound
…taking time for herself…
She so admires the way
this canyon cradles sounds
echoing softly heralding in each season manifesting on and on and on in earnest honoring of time, life and mother nature
Wafting up to her this particular day splendid and bright acoustically inclined buzzed locals blast from below with hearty laughter and soft guitar’s plucked song pull her heart strings closer to grounding than ever
Hummingbirds gracefully dart and dash in delightful wingΓ©d dance zoom nearby filling bellies with proxy flowers teasing thin air in a flurry of feeding colors then dashing off to next feed
Below her barefeet worn wood of cantilevered deck she hears rustling leaves fall in their nearing crisp reveal nestled chattering birds busy busy busy relating their tales of catching worms gobbling them whole narily evading demise as the neighborhood feral cat sits intent and ready holding vigil watching with eager hunger just beyond cool shadow hidden slightly
Tulle fog shifts lends space for sun salutations casting daily dues stretching beyond horizon in dappling light pending waves of impending heat along soaring wings above ancient lore and
tree lined topped speckled sky fierce with light dive and freefall in fluctuating currents cool and free
Caw-ca-caws of a lone crow in seek of mate and murder eludes company temporarily on a shaded branch taking time for herself ever hopeful
Hound dogs yelp and holler excited to break through chains and corral within hurricane fences breaking just beyond dirt roads curving up dust they seek rounding up one more wild boar or perhaps another tantalizing treat to put to fire and belly pleasing their master and primal egos
Laurels at bay and wiley oaks lurk in shadowy reverence of towering redwoods content and wise observing the basin stirring up frogs croak in waning creek as breezes rise and ebb
Lifting wings of dappled grey
Two turtle doves figure eight near with stuttered gentle coos of love’s sweet promise of nurtured hatchlings in yonder nest tucked away safely
Ah, yes, she loved the way the canyon cradled sounds echoing the season’s life reinforced.
Moon Child
“…illuminating secrets
refusing to fall down…”
traversing high on hill
in ancient deep rooted canyon
with muddy boot abandon
she climbs high
above cool wet lingering tulle fog tickled from complacency
by relentless sporadic rain
oblivious to the obstacles
that may challenge her way
under canopy of tree lined canyon coquettish moon emerges
like a vestal virgin
from behind curtain
then smoothly seeks solace
in contemplative clouds
sequestering herself in order
to recharge and enlighten others
shyly shadowing her glory temporarily taking respite from angst, attention and accolades,
mother moon hangs chill
lifting spirits with quiet reflection
in her quest for momentary responsibility to shine on
deep purple waves undulate under
weight of the soft silver memory of
distant glistening light stars
between intermittent spurts
of delicate rain and speckled mist
she relinquishes her light
but for a mere moment
to rest her weary glow
Jack and Jill share buckets
full of illuminating secrets
refusing to fall down that blessΓ©d hill
obscured from peering eyes
with short sighted ulterior motives and wagging tongues,
onward she decides to hold ground
trusting in primal instinct
knowing
those who look deeper beyond horizon of splendourous celebration of Autumnal night sky will see more than meets the eye
with hearfelt authenticity she seeks beyond scintillating skies
yeildng her brilliant birthright light
empowering inward during her momentary sabbatical
less weight,
now has she,
than carrying heavy
water logged buckets uphill,
tumbling shadows rise up and over streams plump with recent rains
water falling gently onwards over
craggy grey ancient granite
and recently felled trees
cool and mossy
in deep introspection
moon,
finally
having had enough
enough enough enough
being fully sick and tired
of long stories
of cows jumping over her
to get to the other sides of darkness,
reflects
eventually rejecting sublimation to counterparts, evolving into symbiotic syzygy
one-two-three aligned like soldiers
crickets begin to fade
as bullfrogs emerge
And at just that very moment, her light returns
lending forgiveness to the staggering changes mentoring great lessons one being
even during darkest moments
when we feel most invisible
trusting with true intent
the eventuality that cycles
will always reveal complete wholeness once again
patiently awaiting ecliptic emergence
in muted light slowly gathering strength to emerge powerful
after undulating moments of overwhelming treacle thick darkness
interspersed with glimmering hope
under the light of the moon
blooms an affluent splendor
enlightening our purposeful path
out from deepest depths of darkness
she cries: follow the path of light, I promise to reveal your way despite any pending darkness that has consumed your soul
i will help shine the way
Under the Earth
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love
In the spring becomes the rose
The Cremation of Care
“…they came to see the light…”
Where spiders congregate
in forest deep
Redwoods see the trees
Through thickets thinned
a clearing made as glorious
Rings tossed in for dancing fares and
Gadabouts coming out to play
Shucking worlds’ roles of ruling robes
and cloaks of duty’s calling
they exhale forthwith exalted
Heard afar, a to-whit a-woo, oh who?
An owl carving carefully watches
perched precariously
on precipices of wiley limbs
steady talons tight
Wings spanning centuries wider
han ancient groves
Eyes open spying hunger for
growth satiating
Soon upon some say prey
stirring deep in thicket
Overlord is he
of then and now
and then again unfolding
Wisdom now surveyed
Swooping graciously gathering dust
then flitting off turning all to gold
Once upon a time once more
Settling within the
encampment
a branch on high lowered
Below between
dappled path
A creature begins to stir
Rising up through mire
sweet leaves’ erosion
Earth pushed aside
soft and cool and dark
Rich with promise
a creek runs babbling
On and on
about this and that
Overseeing all
whilst hearing everything of
nothingness of
Hysterical masses soothed by
A gathering brood
Collecting lost souls seeking
all for naught and night breaks
As pyres burn
temptation damned
Where spiders congregate
in forest deep
Redwoods see the trees
Through thickets thinned
a clearing made
Rings tossed in for dancing fares and
Gadabouts coming out to play
Shucking worlds’ roles of ruling robes
and cloaks of duty’s calling
they exhale forthwith exalted
Heard afar, a to-whit a-woo, oh who?
An owl carving carefully watches
perched precariously
on precipices of wiley limbs
steady talons tight
Wings spanning centuries wider
than ancient groves
Eyes open spying hunger for
growth satiating
Soon upon some say prey
stirring deep in thicket
Overlord is he
of then and now
and then again unfolding
Wisdom now surveyed
Swooping graciously gathering dust
then flitting off turning all to gold
Once upon a time once more
Settling within the
encampment
a branch on high lowered
Below between
dappled path
A creature begins to stir
Rising up through mire
sweet leaves’ erosion
Earth pushed aside
soft and cool and dark
Rich with promise
a creek runs babbling
On and on
about this and that
Overseeing all
whilst hearing everything of
nothingness of
Hysterical masses soothed by
A gathering brood
Collecting lost souls seeking
all for naught and night breaks
As pyres burn
temptation damned
souls resign their warrior state
Of this hidden earthly Valhalla
Illuminated from behind celebratory
shadows of power revealed
They came to see the moon.
They came to see the light.
Dancing under spectacle of moonlight wisdom and transforming
souls resign their warrior state
Of this hidden earthly Valhalla
Illuminated from behind celebratory
shadows of power revealed their true power.
They came to congregate.
They came seeking solace.
They came to frolic in celebratory manner.
They came to see the moon.
They,
like us all,
came to see the light.
Dolores the Daffodil
“…just be mellow…”
Dolores,
such a patient Daffodil,
sat in waiting
deep upon a hill.
As Winter chills
slowly eased,
there she was, well….
quite mildly pleased
in knowing to
just be mellow
she’d soon burst into
bright sun yellow.
Waving bye-bye
to frostier days,
she would herald
coming warmer days.
Her lessons she gives
to one and to all
Is:
always get back up
after you fall;
Even on the coldest, darkest day
light will always in all ways
find a way
to reappear before our eyes
bringing us out of demise;
If, in the right circumstance,
we’ll find the right music and get up and dance;
To let us know
our love will grow;
despite the layers of manure,
we can always, always endure;
with patience
and a dose of love
we’ll always find
a reason to rise above.
Returning to the Nest
“…together in communion…
Gathering once again for morning prayer,
as they usually do,
a pair of birds touch down
weary and worn for quite awhile
hanging on for life in the weeping haze
under shadow of lush limbs lending
a soft place to land.
Narily escaping with outstretched wings
this canyon’s blaze
they sing harmoniously in homage to survival,
flights without fancy
and close call stories
in their celebratory song.
Stirring up stillness
of the crackling duff below
critters hidden but heard
among the canyon’s canopy
of deep velvet green
gratefully nibble on nearby bramble and brush.
With watchful eye
a lone doe
alongside her spotted fawn
steps gently
along the craggy trail
snapping branches brittle below hoof
snacking on nearly ripe blackberries
tugging between the thorns
as once smokey skies now
bloom into an orange julius dawn.
Trees gather humbled
together in communion
on the ancient valley floor
still stand tall and proud
resilient to the surrounding fury
that raged for days on end
grateful now just to
maintain stance among embers;
Ashes, ashes we won’t fall down.
Seaside Seasons
“…inspiring the cresting moon to glow….”
Taken to feather soft downy
Fog rolls over the estuary
Flocks of seagulls take wing
Asking nothing of the sun
Moss hangs yonder from aging pine casting shadow on aging ground
Mounds of grasses turning emerald with patient envy in their wait for winter’s slumber to awaken
As waves beyond rock from out to sea in metronome time
A lone heron rides the cresting air in search of resting tide
The air is shifting from summer’s heat into brisk humidity as days shorten yielding to darker times
She dips her broken wings in ebony ink writing
to cover up her scars
sending pain up to heal in the heavens as angels sang
her story lightening up
ancient constellations
Inspiring the cresting moon to glow
with envy in her brilliance.
Through Eyes of Wood
“…oblivious to the thorns…”
Under canopy of creaking redwoods older than god
Branches swing tumbling to the forest floor
Deafening silent clouds hang high above the forest floor cast dancing shadows playing tricks on the eyes but opening imagination
Softly steps a single doe making way safely for her spotted fawn
Brambles of bursting blackberries provide haven for a herd of foraging rabbits oblivious to the thorns they bound through here and fro
Huddling in nature’s glory….
There is a peace here among wooded unbeaten paths.
One magical and true revelation appears:
This
Is
Spring.
Suspending Storm
“…thick with ready rain…”
Sounds of the river waft up around skaters pulling rail in the skatepark near
Skies earlier crisp blue above winged crow
now ominous as its murder
Heavy air thick with ready rain awaits the thundering herd from greying clouds
From seven rounded corners of a far away island along the pineapple belt a storm brews ready to plump the sky electric
Light Show Offs
“…earth watched patiently…”
War of sun and moon
Arguing over light
Who was brighter
In comparison.
I, says sun, am able to cast shadows deep and wide.
Aye, says moon, as can I on a snowy drift deep in winter’s dark.
Bluebirds sing melodies about I.
Aye, ’tis true, but owl lives for time with me alone in woods.
Flowers reach up to me seeking more of my casting.
Aye, true tho the night jasmine would not be as sweet without me.
People rise when first I wake the slumbering earth, utters sun
This be true as is they toast me at end of day, says moon.
Cloud comes open upon my command, declares sun.
Mist makes for magic under my spell, whispers moon.
All the while they argued over and over who held brightest, earth watched patiently, quietly and knew the truth.
Without the other there would be no light at all.
Sky Writer
Clouds
seemingly on a mission
eek across vast sky blue
bright children giggling
acting like sprinklers
tickle and tease with their droplets
wet
Blades
…virtual wilt…
Grass
Cool shade
Protects my body
From
Virtual
Wilt
As breezes
Apt to whisk
Away any dew
That has settles on my lips
Cruise through trees
Dripping green
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