Friday, March 1, 2013

MARCH STONES


March 1st, 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 2nd, 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 3rd, 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 4th, 2013

Rosy
blooming rows
spilling in ribbons
along the winding road
Almonds
~


March 5th, 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 6th, 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 7th, 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 8th, 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 9th, 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 10th, 2013

Navel
Succulent globe
pierced skin releases
spritz of scented juice
Orange
~

March 11th, 2013


Alfresco
Just two
Savoring the sun
With Cheese and Rosé
Lunch

~

Shrieking
looking up
sparrows mating above
we are eating below
Shocking

March 12th, 2013

Small
red cap
Black and white
Insistent tapping and knocking
Woodpecker

March 13th, 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 15th, 2013

Gloaming
last light
birds have settled
day is nearly done
Serenity



March 16th 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 17th, 2013
Woodlands are wearing the green today

                                                                                 ~

March 18th, 2013

Jeweled
hovering above
buzzing like bumblebee
diving at warp speed
Hummingbird
~

Delicate
minute miracle
woven with care
in a rose bush
Nursery
~

March 19th, 2013


Morning
running late
have to rush
shower dress then town
Yoga



                                                  March 20th, 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 21st. 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 22nd, 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 23rd, 2013


Sunny morning woodlands dappled in gold
*
Windy day Italian cypresses point down
*
Blooming trees+ windy day =snuffly nose


March 24th, 2013

Burnished
fantastic shapes
nature paints again
taking my breath away
Sunset


Six word Sunday
*

Azure skies draped with white chiffon
~

March 25th, 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 26th, 2013


Rainbow~hued
nesting together
lovely round globes
succulent silky texture melts
Gelato





March 27th, 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 28th, 2013

Verdant shades of green cloak the hills
soon the hot summer sun
will turn them rich tawny lion gold




March 29th, 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 30th, 2013
~
Six Word Saturday
~
Lovely green meadow
three Llamas meditate

~


March 31st, 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?