August 1st-10th, 2014

August 1st, 2014

~

Mystical strange beast

found dry on the forest floor

a generous splash of water

some tender loving care

 behold this small miracle

~

Delicate tentacles unfold

once dry and crisp

now soft to the touch

brought home from the forest

yet reminiscent of the sea

~

Mind's eye can imagine

this creature beneath the waves

the fishy face~delicate fronds

moving with the sea currents

but no~from up high it fell

~

Picked up dry and broken

from the dark forest floor

anointed with water at home

watching it come to life

Ming sniffs the withered beast

~

Can she read their story

absorb the places they've been

will the scent take her away

to wild places~into the canopy

with a perfect bird's eye view 

August 2nd, 2014
~
Another morning spend dragging heavy hoses
attempting to keep our corner of desert green
it seems a silly task really~but oh how my heart
needs that bit of green to refresh the eye and senses
my roots~still yearning for the verdant land of my birth
~
So each morning in deep summer~many hours spend
tugging~cursing~moaning~sweat freely pouring down
then my reward~slightest cooling~refreshing
soul and senses~not only for us~but all of nature
sweet winged ones now fly in~whole flocks arrive
~
Eagerly chattering~their tiny wings nearly grazing
my cheek ~they land in the glistening wet shrubs
wings fluttering as they bathe~refreshing themselves
Bushtits by the dozens~their sweet chirps fill the air
then robins come to scratch the now moist earth
~
Red breasts glow~heads bob~finding buried treasure
the labor now well worthwhile~our oasis is teeming
seeing us through another summer~one hot day at a time
counting our blessings~fresh water~pumped from the deep
not all are this lucky~giving thanks for this bounty daily

August 3rd, 2014
~
Seven Word Sunday
~
Portly visitor
eagerly gathers sweet
bounty within

August 4th, 2014
~
Eerie arms~dripping lace
reach up into the fog
searching the silvery skies
as if to part the curtain
revealing hidden mysteries
dare we stay and wait
will it be just the hidden sun
or something ominous
sudden evening breeze animates
lace flutters~crow caws
goosebumps form~is it the breeze??

August 5th, 2014
~
Soft hiss of rain on a cold tin roof
plip plop as it drips off the edge
glistening droplets quivering on leaf's edge
~
This is the stuff California summer dreams
are made of~unexpected~most welcome
giving heartfelt thanks for our wet reprieve

#2
~
Imperfect Ten
~
Not feeling blue
pink tears of joy
honoring the rain

August 6th, 2014
~
Once upon a time~ in a Northern Kingdom
there lived a dear little princess~loved by all
And no~it's not the one currently occupying
the Firefly Throne~that's Princess Ming Dragon
~
Sadly the dear Princess of whom I speak
has long outgrown her little Firefly Throne
but once she occupied it quite often
I am speaking of  Princess Plum Blossom
~
She of the lovely red gold hair and sweet freckles
wearing the silken Crane Kimono~fanning herself
oh how she filled our heart with joy and happiness
curled up~her sweet nose in a book most everyday
~
As often happens~they do grow up up and away
she's gone now~following the path to a promising future
fairy tales savored~now replaced by serious text books
still her dear memory lingers and makes us smile today
~
We found her Firefly Throne~tucked away safely
carefully unfolded it~remembering sweet times
she's making her own happiness~Prince optional
may she find joy and live happily ever after

August 7th, 2014
~
Delicate bones rest on the sand
the illusion of flight remains
though the heart no longer beats

August 8th, 2014
~
Side by side~ they pose cheerfully
one invited~wearing indigo velvet
the other in white~crashing the party
***
August 9th, 2014
~
Inspiration took flight
roosting elsewhere today

August 10th, 2014
~
Seems eons ago we walked
this monochromatic landscape
undulating toward the sea
~
Listening to seagulls laugh
breakers rushing in with a roar
dogs barking in the distance
~
Memory must sustain us now
inland~far from the sea
longing for the song of the beach

August 10th, 2014
~
In Pursuit of Luna
~
Following the winding country roads
we drive~ searching for Luna
out there~away from our small valley
~
It's not to be~tonight clouds bar her way
she struggles~trying to break free
we wait patiently~hoping against hope
~
Still what a blessing~this lovely breeze
prairie stretching to the far horizon
technicolor sunset blazing to the West
~
Darkness falls~cricket song fills the night
lone egret stands~his small pond shimmers
two swifts dip and turn~catching dinner
~
Outlined against the evening sky
suddenly an owl appears
gliding silently across the prairie
~
What better way to spend a summer night
out here on the wide open land
feeling the gentle night air on our faces