MARCH STONES

March 1^st, 2013

Delicate aerial ballet

two Cedar Waxwings, subtly colored

eyes rimmed in black

hover in midair, then land

trembling on the ends of young

Hawthorn branches which bend

under their weight.

Turning upside down they

cleverly harvest the last of the berries

We freeze, hold our breath admiring their nimble

aerobatics, the first pair seen here.

Will our young tree bring them back next year?

~

Pale

delicate colors

suspended from branches

harvesting clusters of Haws

Waxwings

March 2^nd, 2013

Day's end

last light showing

trees outlined against a translucent sky

clouds afloat in fish bone patterns

serenely floating past

The neighborhood quiets and rests

I stand on the porch, taking it all in

mindful of this moment.

Breathing deep ,the

sweet scent of blooming plums

permeates the air.

If only I could bottle that delicate scent,

capture and release it on another day

when I need to find this moment of

peace again.

~~

Early morning clouds swallowed red sunrise

King Tut~ July 2004-March 2013

~~~~

The music stopped, our King is dead.

He slipped away swiftly, out of sight

leaving us bereft.

Who will gladden our hearts now?

Who will dance that mad Mambo for us?

His gentle, loving heart beats no more.

All that remains are his empty bowl

and our heavy hearts.

On his journey he took with him

our love, dampened with tears.

May he rest in peace.

~

March 3^rd, 2013

Where do they go when they leave us,

when they slip their earthly shell?

Are they reborn in a new form?

Are they added to all that's been

in this Universe since time began

souls upon souls stretching through Infinity?

So many questions, never sure of the answer.

For now we endure our raw pain and mourn,

hot tears spilling down our faces.

Disbelieving they've slipped way, then

thinking of them as being whole and well

again, no pain, just joy. Slowly healing

our broken hearts by feeling sure that

at the end, when our time comes to slip away,

they'll be there, patiently waiting. 

~

March 4^th, 2013

Rosy

blooming rows

spilling in ribbons

along the winding road

Almonds

~

March 5^th, 2013

Last minute squabbles

in Italian Cypress housing units

Sparrows arguing over

who roosts where.

The tree frog, looking for

love drowns out their petty

bickering with creaking, insistent calls
~

March 6^th, 2013

Stormy night

howling winds still with us

now sun peeks through

a freshly opened window of blue

shadows of storm tossed branches

dance on living room walls

to the North bruised black skies

promise more to come

we savor the lull,

our eye in the storm

~

March 7^th, 2013

A Trip to Town

In the morning, seemingly endless rolling, green hills

Gray cloud cover hovers heavily above

now and then horizontal cracks open

allowing silvery columns of light

to spill onto the landscape below,

illuminating grazing cattle.

Then groves of olive trees,

heavy crowns held above fantastically

twisted and gnarled roots , leaves turn in the light wind

revealing first sage, then silver

~

Afternoon, homeward bound

clouds have parted, leaving towering

galleons sailing across the mostly blue sky

sun now spills forth with gilded rays

Clouds create shadows which

race across the earth, dappling the landscape.

We pass blooming almond orchards

one moment in the deep shadows then

in the blink of an eye, sunlight illuminates

the rows, shadow replaced by sudden light,

transforming a somber scene

into a sudden, lush feast for the eyes.

the rows a joyful pinkish white,

trees looking for all the world like

young girls, wearing first party gowns. 

~

March 8^th, 2013

Morning walk

we take the last turn

down the steep dirtroad,

really a jumbled river of stones.

We carefully place our feet,

not wanting to turn an ankle,

all the while scanning the ground.

Special stones catch our eye

they travel home in our pockets

to be added to our collection

on an old wooden table near the gate,

adorning our rustic lives. 

~

Saturday, March 9^th, 2013

Cotton Candy Clouds

finely spun drifting

~

Memories

Funny how sometimes a word

can bring forth memories

of a distant time .

An old greeting, long forgotten

a Gruess Gott or Gruetzi

common greeting in Bavaria

taking me back to summers

spend with Papa, hiking

high alpine meadows, knee deep in flowers

breathing the sweet, clear air.

Gentle cows with liquid brown eyes,

their bells ringing

grazing the herbaceous meadows.

The highlight a hearty meal of

fresh ice cold milk, churned butter and nutty

cheese, served on rough rye by the keeper

of the Alm. 
~

March 10^th, 2013

Navel

Succulent globe

pierced skin releases

spritz of scented juice

Orange
~

March 11^th, 2013

Alfresco

Just two

Savoring the sun

With Cheese and Rosé

Lunch

~

Shrieking

looking up

sparrows mating above

we are eating below

Shocking

March 12^th, 2013

Small

red cap

Black and white

Insistent tapping and knocking

Woodpecker

March 13^th, 2013

As I lay here, snug in my nest of duvets,

hovering at the edge of sleep

even inside I can hear their raspy voices

frogs singing their songs of love and longing

calling out into the velvety darkness

hoping to be heard and found.

Me, I am just searching for sleep

sinking deeper, drifting off into another realm......

March 14th, 2013

Bare
Twisted branches
First buds swell
For now feathered fruit
Birds
~
Hidden

under cover

beneath elaborate gowns

Jo reveals pope's secret

Underwear 

~

March 15^th, 2013

Gloaming

last light

birds have settled

day is nearly done

Serenity

March 16^th 2013

Six Word Saturday

Mother Nature paints with steady hands

~~

Delicate

subtle colors

horizontal stripes divide

evening skies over mountains

Sunset.

~

Day's End

Sitting in the garden, gazing up into a brilliant azure sky. There's a bit of a breeze blowing, tousling the crowns of our pines. They sigh in pleasure, humming their thanks in the Key of Pine. The oaks mostly bare yet but showing first tiny, chartreuse leaflets, sing their own, sturdier song.

I sit, satiated after a late lunch, thinking how far removed I am from the frantic stores we pushed through just hours ago. There strident voices and announcements assail the ears. But here, in this rustic country place we call home, trees sing and doves coo.

Our place is simple, cobbled together over the years, yet we've made it our own. Laboring side by side, we created this santuary where our spirit can rest and renew itself.

So I sit and breathe deeply, legs up on a stump, listening to Blue Jays squabble and argue. Tilting back my head, above me buzzards draw lazy spirals into the sky, up, up, higher until only specks remain.

I feel peace seep into my bones and settle deeper into my chair, counting my blessings.

~

March 17^th, 2013

Woodlands are wearing the green today

                                                                                 ~

March 18^th, 2013

Jeweled

hovering above

buzzing like bumblebee

diving at warp speed

Hummingbird

~

Delicate

minute miracle

woven with care

in a rose bush

Nursery
~

March 19^th, 2013

Morning

running late

have to rush

shower dress then town

Yoga

                                                  March 20^th, 2013

Rainy morning fresh moist air

floor sports mud blossom art courtesy of

of our in-residence canine artists

~

Late afternoon sun, the storm has passed.

Nature looks moist and alive, speaking of the beginning of spring.

This day, after starting cool and wet, is now filled with visual delights.

Tender blossoms, quivering with shimmering drops, new leaves glistening.

A light spring zephyr moves huge clouds,

boiling with energy, on a cerulean blue canvas.

Birds are eagerly chirping, bathing in puddles

or fluffing feathers in droplets hanging from leaves

Equinox, not just a date any longer, but a feeling. 

~

March 21^st. 2013

Spring is here, storm has passed

Oaks burst into bloom

every surface thickly coated

as if sprinkled with yellow icing sugar

eyes and nose protest, head aches

yet we smile and worship

at Spring's feet.

~

March 22^nd, 2013

White

glorious clusters

bringing scented gifts

memories of dear friend

Lilacs

What enticing fragrance,

is drifting on the wind?

Can I believe my eyes?

Is it that time already?

When did this treasure

burst into bloom?

So many questions, my nose tells me

there's only one answer, Lilac !

Suddenly, surprisingly

bursting into bloom, mere buds only days ago.

Now there she stands, in white, scented glory

once a small sprig, gift from a friend

now long gone. But her memory lives on

each year, when the Lilac comes to life

reminding me of her.

~

March 23^rd, 2013

Sunny morning woodlands dappled in gold

*

Windy day Italian cypresses point down

*

Blooming trees+ windy day =snuffly nose

March 24^th, 2013

Burnished

fantastic shapes

nature paints again

taking my breath away

Sunset

Six word Sunday
*

Azure skies draped with white chiffon
~

March 25^th, 2013

~

Insomnia

*

I wake once again at the usual time

moonbeams slip through bamboo blinds

curious, silver fingers, finding my face.

Did I feel their touch?
~

March 26^th, 2013

Rainbow~hued

nesting together

lovely round globes

succulent silky texture melts

Gelato

March 27^th, 2013

You are called Handkerchief Iris by some.

Indeed you do appear to be a frilly bit of frippery

looking as if tossed aside by a fair maiden

Hoping a knight in shining armor might appear

to retrieve it and approach with a

“Pardon my boldness, fair lady?”

Then again, maybe dropped by a Geisha,

floating serenely on tiny feet through a

garden ,fanning herself, enjoying a moment of solitude.

March 28^th, 2013

Verdant shades of green cloak the hills

soon the hot summer sun

will turn them rich tawny lion gold

March 29^th, 2013

The land lies waiting patiently

beneath heavily pregnant, dark skies

will it rain or will these clouds again pass us by

without giving birth to a single drop

taking their precious cargo

to spill upon a different plain

The land lies waiting patiently

~

March 30^th, 2013

~

Six Word Saturday

~

Lovely green meadow

three Llamas meditate

~

March 31^st, 2013

I put the kettle on, it's nearly three

not in the afternoon ,but in the early morning hours

while most still sleep I wake suddenly

to a tapping sound, soft at first

then more urgent, finally pounding, insistent!!

Wide awake now, senses alive

my heart matches the racing staccato

Panic, then relief realizing that this time

the threatening clouds delivered

the blessing of Easter morning rain

Pounding the roof and all that blooms

I sigh, as does the thirsty earth

relieved we both drink deeply
I sip a cup of chamomile

in hopes of finding sleep

the earth greedily absorbs the rain

her brown, parched skin moist once again.

~

Tonight we'll have a little feast

a roasted chicken if you please

but probably my most favored things

will be the side dishes in the scheme of things

Olive Oil roasted Butternut Squash, Green

Asparagus too , a fluffy bowl of Garlic Mashed potatoes,

will that do?