Monday, March 24, 2014

March 24th-31st, 2014


March 24th, 2014
~
There she glows~first of the season
like a virgin queen~but it's not
'tis merely Lady Banksia~mimicking the moon



March 25th, 2014
~
How can such luscious color
not make the heart sing???





March 26th, 2014
~
Outside the window~much flitting and twittering
birds chatter~hopping, flapping and tugging
eagerly gathering bits and pieces~ moss and twigs
spider webs~cat hair~string~feathering their nest
~
Avian building boom is on~first the nest~then romance
soon replaced by patient sitting and waiting~a brief respite
before reality sets in~parenthood~gaping hungry mouths to feed
courtship long forgotten~replaced by the clamor of hungry chicks
~
Working full time~no rest until fledging~no time to sing
until the job is done~next generation safely on the wing
but for now ~preparations are still  accompanied by song
one last spring fling~tender bonding~before duty calls


March 27th, 2014
~
And thus the fantastic tale continues
of three sisters, dressed for the ball
spreading their lovely skirts~day after day
dancing with the wind~until they could dance no more
nearly a fortnight they held court~unchallenged
until seasonal rains fell thickly and quickly
weighing down already weary heads
stormy night passed~they succumbed
youngest sister standing still~looking tired
the elders~heads heavy~kneeled down
exhausted~nearly spend~now resting 
on fountain's edge~delighting the birds
cooling tired feet~but oh~how they danced!!!


***


March 28th, 2014
~
Jeanne
~
Started as a small sprig~gift from a dear friend
slowly you grew~now towering over our heads
waking from your winter sleep~once again lush and green
you unfurl the daintiest of roses~perfect buds
no larger then a pinkie fingernail~small treasures
translucent pink~they glow~adorning your flanks
tiny sculptures of finest china~yet tender to our touch
once again we welcome your delicate gifts



***


March 29th, 2014
~
Six Word Saturday Duo
~
Tenderly embracing
riding out
the storm
~
Spring stones
sharing nature's
generous bounty



March 30th, 2014
~
Seven Word Sunday
~
Glowing splendor
worth its 
weight in gold

***

Storm Stone
~
Growling cracking thunder rumbles
March going out like a roaring lamb?
Something's wrong with this picture
lambs are meek and mild~not wild
dogs tremble~bed shakes~we huddle
finding safety and comfort in numbers
suddenly to the West sun breaks through
dabbling us with showers of golden spots
outside birds start chirping loudly~is it safe yet?


March 31st, 2014
~
Minimal Monday


Caught in the act

Monday, March 17, 2014

March 17th-23rd, 2014


May 17th, 2014
~
Minimal Monday
~
Proudly wearing the green



May 18th, 2014
~
Night Magic
~
Waking in the night I rise~not knowing why
tip toe through the house~peek outside
stunned~quickly opening the door~barefoot
looking up~finding magic in the velvet sky
a comet's tail~streaking for miles~narrow cloud
brilliantly lit inside~holding Luna captive in it's heart
brisk winds free her once again~serenely sailing on
she continues her journey~slipping out of sight


***


March 19th, 2014
~
Quietly~nearly unnoticed
shy Labrador Violet unfurls
hidden among last year's fallen leaves
cozy under the Razzle Dazzle bush
her bright face peers up joyfully
lifting her face to the warm spring sun
she stretches~holding her head high
endearing in her sweet simplicity


March 20th, 2014
~
Once again Persephone
rises from the dark
back into the light
bright shiny face glows
season's wheel turns
HAPPY SPRING EQUINOX


March 21st, 2014
~
Nature's morning palette
robin egg blue ~morning skies
glowing chartreuse~young oak leaves
brilliant sulfur yellow~oak blossoms
cotton candy pink ~cherry plum
all aglow in sun's first rays 


March 22nd, 2014
~
Following the scent
finding hidden treasure



March 23rd, 2014
~
The scholar ~deep in thought
text clutched tightly in his hands
above wisteria clusters sway playfully
moving gently in the morning breeze
tossing delicate scent ~casting shadows
upon his long somber face
~
Surely all these cheerful doings
could move even a man of stone
tickle the inner boy within gently
elicit a tender smile to welcome 
and breathe deeply~savoring
this fragrant Sunday morn

Monday, March 10, 2014

March 10th-16th ,2014


March, 10th, 2014
~
After the storm~everything shines
first the sun~emerging slowly
rising through layers of multicolored scarfs
last clouds~enveloping the hills~drifting to the east
all of nature shines~silvered droplets tremble 
gilded treetops capture first rays~new oak leaves emerge
brilliant peridot green~shining like semi precious stones
burgundy plum leaves unfurl~pink blossoms twinkle
puddles and rivulets reflect the pale aquamarine sky
all appears jeweled~after the storm

***

March 11th, 2014
~
No Zephyr this~but howling winds 
roaring through the newly greening groves
tousling heads~ tugging limbs~nudging buds
up it goes~herding stray cirrus across the blue sky
then down again~nudging~pushing us along impatiently
dogs are wild too~eagerly racing each other and the wind
rushing creek and swaying pines sing in pleasing harmony
wild spring morning~immersed in nature~energized
we return home~freshly charged~ready for our day


March 12th, 2014
~
Three sisters~pale green heads held high
kissed to life by the warm spring sun
what colors will their tender hearts reveal


March 13th, 2014
~
On a clear day you really can see forever~or so it seems
even things far away suddenly seem near enough to touch
homeward bound~Mt Shasta beckons~dominating our view
nearly three hours north~snowy flanks illuminated by the sun
how enticing and magical the view~hovering above the orchards
a mirage~rising from the valley floor~seen by travelers for miles
speeding up the freeway headed north~closer to it's white splendor
our thoughts drift to the early pioneers who would see it for weeks
 arduous journey north never ending it seemed~near and yet so far
driving their oxen~mile after tiring mile~ maybe fifteen a day 
 tremendous courage and strength~trying to find their way home


March 14th, 2014
~
Early morning it's barely light~I step out into the garden
headed out to check the hummingbird feeder
hoping to care for them before they wake~too late
impatient buzzing and twittering greets me from above
yesterday's party has drained the banquet bone dry
removing the feeder to replenish the feast they follow
scolding~buzzing~ I flee to do their impatient bidding
rush back out~full feeder in hand~silence greets me
slipping back in I peer through the bedroom window
then down they come~descending in the pre-dawn 
 vision blurred through the screen~watching them feast
watching them feast~seven or more at last count
diving~swirling~sharing~the party is on again

***

March 15th, 2014
~
SWS Trio
~
Cautiously~eldest sister unfolds~it's time




Younger sisters~bravely peek~ follow suit




Grand Finale~their splendor~finally revealed



***


March 16th, 2014
~
Seven Word Sunday
~
Delightful apricot tutus~plundered by visting bees

Saturday, March 1, 2014

March 1st-9th, 2014


March 1st, 2014
~
SWS
~
Survivors~standing tall
wearing lovely bonnets


March 2nd, 2014
~
Country road~blanketed in thick mist~curling and swirling
trees appear~then swiftly slip back into the white background
as if a heavy curtain dropped~draping all~swallowing the world
solitary crow briefly dissects the sky~caws~disappears from view
small streams find their way through pastures ~silver ribbons
merrily gurgling~eagerly searching and merging~growing in size
cattle dot the hills~calmly grazing~undisturbed by the weather
enormous bull surveys his harem~lifts massive head~tasting the air
ditches filled with water~reflect the pewter sky and wire fences
once again our world looks as it should this wintry time of year
we rejoice~thankful to receive nature's wet blessing~long overdue
vernal pools~alive with the song of frogs~noisily congregating
our world shines and glows~moist air kisses our cheeks tenderly 

***

March 3rd, 2014
~
PONDERING WET DOGS
~
Dog walk in the rain~we return with glowing cheeks
our pack of panting dogs smiling~tongues lolling cheerfully
as they look up in joy~eyes shining~we cannot help but wonder
is rain in human company better then the kind that falls in our yard
does "walking rain" not cause poor tender dogs to melt instantly
but the "yard" kind makes a dog head out the dog door~panic 
then immediately turn around~horrified~back inside to safety
looking dismayed at the evil killer wetness from the sky
or worse yet~the mere sound of drip drops outside~playing dead 
refusing to even stir themselves from cozy beds to get up
but put your socks and shoes on~there is no mercy for us
they explode~falling over each other eagerly~barking~shoving
WALK NOW!!!....Rain??? What rain?? WALKIES, PLEASE!!!


March 4th, 2014
~
Nourished by rain
bone lichen's ghostly white fingers
reach out~searching


March 5th, 2014
~
Disheveled debutante
white Quince blooms
dancing in the rain


March 6th, 2014
~
Fat coppery buds are swelling
revealing bright chartreuse hearts
oak groves waking from slumber
stretching~basking in the morning sun
overhead last storm clouds race along
don't lose heart~Spring is on the way


March 7th, 2014
~
Peering through the stalks
white Muscari rise
playing hide and seek




March 8th, 2014
~
Gracefully gathered Corps de Ballet
a study in white and green~tutus fluffed
en pointe~ready to explode onto the stage
~
SWS
~
Eagerly they wait~ready to dance



March 9th, 2014
~
Leaves of three~leave them be
~
Come a little closer, Dear
touch my shiny leaves
aren't they just lovely, Dear
pretty as you please
what~ you heard you shouldn't, Dear
such a silly rhyme
just go ahead and touch me, Dear
I'll sting you every time