Saturday, December 2, 2017

DECEMBER 2017


And so she rises once again
lush luminous winter moon
oaks full only weeks ago
now reach stark bare fingers
into the darkening sky
as if praising her beauty
nights glisten magically
as she graces the heavens
sleep eludes me I wake
her brilliant light nudging
me from sleep...resistance is futile


Dec 5th, 2017
***
On this sunny windy day
sweet Sally O'Malley
crossed the rainbow bridge
hale and hearty again
no doubt eagerly welcomed
by the old pack waiting
tails thumping sniff sniffing
you're here at last...let's play

***

Her favorite blanket
special bowl now put away
fond memories of her
sweet face looking up
velvety snout nuzzling
those delightful ears
she was shy yet also fierce
our dear canine matriarch
missed by all of us
memories tenuous connection
maybe she's only walked ahead


December full moon
Sol rose swiftly
gilding her descent


Venerable oak stands alone
bereft of his companions
who stood with him there
in a lovely meadow filled
with birdsong and wild ones
he's the lone survivor now
his tree family was felled
they paved this paradise put
up a superstore parking lot
all hustle past the giant
unaware littering jabbering
not sparing him a kind thought
when I am near I send him
words of comfort
words of caring
words of courage
words of support
because sadly I cannot turn
back the greedy developers clock


Neither rest nor velvety darkness
enfold his stark aged branches
night no longer falls this paved
over prison stays brightly lit
day and night hustling bustling
yet he still stands proud and tall
not defeated though he witnessed
them fall one by one his fellow
giants all gone now no doubt firewood
only a few babes still standing
up near the road mere saplings
compared to his regal sturdy girth

***
Eyes burn with tears
am I utterly mad to
mourn with a tree??



Above roseate veils
slim crescent moon lingers
inky branch framed

***

To the east
glorious pool of crimson shimmers
through bare oaks~winter sunrise


Fabulous fireworks
firmament frolics
Friday's farewell

***

Massive head
cupped in upturned paws
snoring and snuffling
hibernating side by side
Bear and I dreaming our way
toward our next warm tasty meal

***

In flashlight's beam
fat shiny centipedes
dainty blue bodied snails
each moving at their own speed
criss crossing the nocturnal highway


Like a column of smoke
rising up on the current
spiraling higher and higher
drawing sacred circles
turkey vulture meditation


Like a column of smoke
rising up on the current
spiraling higher and higher
drawing sacred circles
turkey vulture meditation
Recently I made the acquaintance
of one who had until recently
been a stranger to me an old gent
known by the name Hashimoto
now you might ask if he is a poet
as his name has a poetic ring to it
maybe a new favorite sushi chef
possibly even one of those wonderful
Japanese artists who capture crane
in mid flight or mighty waves as they crash
with just a few elegant strokes of a brush
alas he is none of these instead he is
a physician who discovered a strange
disease which turns a body's defense
system to fail now intend on attacking
the very body it is meant to defend
while I am most grateful Dr. Hashimoto
was clever enough to find this anomaly
honestly a poem, painting or even one
artistic piece of sushi art would have
been much more appreciated by me
still pondering all of this did bring this
poem to life so maybe art is present
after all as I am sorting out my thoughts
on this new untraveled road ahead
Arigatou Gozaimashita, Dr. Hashimoto


Christmas night crescent moon
afloat in heavenly milk
served in a bowl of finest copper

***

Above the creek
wispy veils shimmer
kissed by the sun
as he makes his way
to the far west
all this in a pale
lavender blue sky
layers of exquisite color
visual feast for tired eyes

***

High atop the big white rose
dainty male quail perches
bobbing on a slender branch
his call announcing to all
sole ownership of his world
chi-ca-go chi-ca-go chi-ca-go
below him verdant shrubbery
is alive with rustlings and shadows
telling of a large plentiful covey
anxious clucking commences
should anyone come too close
bellies filled generous breakfast
of seeds consumed now they roost
growing pleasantly plump while
high atop the big white rose
on alert keeping his covey safe
dainty male quail perches on guard


Brilliant blue sky
small golden hands wave
waving back smiling


Magpie, Magpie flying free
joyously from tree to tree
chattering loudly to and fro
here they come then there they go
heads are turning now upside down
watching these cheerful avian clowns
my inner child jumps full of glee
if I had wings that could be me!!!


Saturday, November 4, 2017

NOVEMBER 2017


Basking up high 
hawks soak up golden rays
November morning 


Beaver Moon

Last night Luna was hidden
her fullness veiled
racing storm clouds
obscured her pale face
today's blue skies
hold a promise maybe
she'll be revealed
tonight in all of her
brilliant celestial glory
promise kept


I remember when there was
life before dogs
growing up with grandma
she deadly afraid of dogs
but always I yearned for
steadfast canine companionship

I remember my wedding gift
being a tiny Schnauzer pup
all silvery fur bushy eyebrows
adorable black truffle snout
puppy breath perky ears sharp teeth
chewed at my veil and nibbled shoes

I remember when our dogs
were of the small variety
miniatures all compact bodies
just right for city living
long before the advent
of large country dogs cast away

I remember when we first saw
this huge striped dog
sitting near a country pond
looking lost and forlorn
nervously barking at strangers
twice daily we brought food

I remember how his eyes closed
in utter bliss as a collar
was slipped over his head
and he was told come on boy
he followed me never hesitating
jumping into our little truck

I remember when having a dog
was just a dream never knowing
that one day the dream would
be multiplied over and over
that our yard would be filled
with those once homeless and lost

***

Tide of hungry quail
rushes in swiftly
dainty headgear
like feathery bells
ring a ding ding
eager scratching
clucking muttering
moving as one
our morning delight
growing plumper each day


Endless bronzed hills
roll toward the horizon
soon young green will sprout
pastures awash once more
rich green waves undulating
whipped by fierce winds
like a vast verdant inland sea
heavy clouds generously spilled
their heavy load across the land
each nourishing drop cherished
welcomed at the end of this rainy day


Hark...who goes there
bright eyes alert
slowly closing ranks
carefully surveying us
as if to gauge our intent
are we friend or foe
after all one can't be
too careful during this
scary month of November
as we pull away slowly
heads once again dip down
resuming their search for lunch


The comfort I give myself
is that though the road ahead
might well be rough filled
with troublesome potholes
but what if new exciting
 adventures await just ahead
over the crest of the next hill
there is comfort to be found in
looking at the world through
more hopeful positive eyes even
though the unknown lurks around
each corner the not so distant future
uncertain and unpredictable
maybe even a bit scary therefore
the comfort I give myself is to truly
focus on the here and now
enjoying the journey leaning
into the curves of everyday life


Inquisitive eyes
juvenile Bald Eagle
peers down at us
quietly sitting
posing endlessly
suddenly huge wings
unfurl.............he sails away


Autumn splendor adorns
our small creek
reeds painted in rich colors
replenished water now
once again reflects
beauty at it's banks and
movement of the sky above
season's wheel turning once again


Looking across the fields
old silo stands tall
it's former use long obsolete
yet still it serves
providing a perfect home
a fig tree lives in it's heart
planted by birds long ago
providing food and shelter
nature's time passages
working in perfect harmony


Over two decades
this view has enriched
our rural lives
eyes free to roam
over wide open spaces
nourishing our souls
thinking back when
our busy city lives
were frantic stressful
trying to stay ahead
though the move was
sooner than planned
we learned this was
what we needed all along


Saw two handsome crows today
swooping across the road
then perching.....deep in thought


***


There...movement in the grass
swift flash comes and goes
eyes focused now scanning again
spotting handsome trickster
stalking his breakfast
peering into the tall grass
suddenly diving head first
bushy tail and legs aloft
some unlucky wee beastie
surely stuck up his head
blissfully unaware that today
he was greeting his last morning



***


Large plates were filled
wine tasted divine
savored all at dinner time
our timing was perfect
not too terribly late
our stomachs are full
think dessert has to wait
maybe a bit later
we'll savor that too
for now we are happy
Happy Thanksgiving To You

***

Strange dreams are plaguing
me in the night lately
odd discordant flashes
myself sitting at a table
suddenly a scowling orange face
pushes through the crowd
he settles heavily oozing anger
much too near for comfort
demanding whining bullying
resisting with all my might
thankfully surfacing in time
heart pounding but safely awake
this morning again stumbling
from my bed more odd dreams
strangers invading our land
demanding we leave our home
babbling about eminent domain
telling us everything here
will be torn down needed for
important government doings
trucks pull in we're lost
where will we go this is all
we have to our name that and
our dogs and cats now homeless
frantic I toss and turn sheets
twisted tightly then waking
realizing it was just a dream
took an hour shaking that
realistic nightmare because
no matter how hard we try
our current reality will not
rest it pushes itself rudely
into our deepest subconscience
to be visited and dissected
while we rest ever more uneasily
never knowing....what comes next?



Tonight's celestial miracle
looking skyward
bedazzled by a brocade sky







Friday, October 6, 2017

OCTOBER 2017




Luna Luna flying high
lighting up the velvet sky
shining down on all below
darkest woodlands now aglow
soon you wake me disturb my rest 
tempt me from my cozy nest
wandering the paths this night 
guided by your blessed light
looking up and soaking in
ancient wisdom held deep within
why you call me I don't know
but basking in your soothing glow
often sets the wrong things right
is that why I crave your healing light


Living in a roller coaster world
new day brings peace and serenity
morning full moon precious pearl
peers through the italian cypress
reminding me that all of life 
is a most delicate balancing act
all we can really do is our best
hoping it will be good enough
forgiving ourselves our failures
then stepping out trying once again

***

Some days I just want to walk away
from everything
from the past
from bad choices
from mistakes made
from daily burdens
from sleepless nights
from yet another furry life ebbing
from wondering is there suffering
from overwrought emotions
some days I just want to walk away
but when taking the first steps
looking back over my shoulders
suddenly it seems hard because
there is still so much good
suddenly I know I would also be
missing out on sharing caring
learning smiling crying laughing
mourning savoring cherishing
reading writing remembering
slowly turning back retracing
my parting steps hope rises
leaning into the fierce wind
determined to move forward
determined to focusing
on all that's bright and beautiful
it's been there along sometimes
we just lose our way.........

***
Walking away
from the headlines
mindful as to how
insignificant my own
small worries seem
in the face of utter
devastation of so
many people's lives
right now floods fires
some losing everything
just the thought that
life goes on normal
for those of us not
in harm's way makes
my heart ache makes
me appreciate EVERYTHING


Held in my hand
tiny wrinkly treasures
potential giants
will we be able to
protect their uncertain future


Sometimes peace can be found
early in the day before the endless
stream of news washes over us
like an unholy incoming riptide
sitting companionable at the table
bowl of scottish oats resting
warmly in our bellies cup of tea
at hand crisp savory slice of bread
resting on a favorite plate
small image of a cat sleeping
cozy in front of a crackling fire
no doubt purring contendly
all the while we sit in front
of our stove it's red heart aglow
looking out into the autumn garden
this is where peace can be found


The view from here is restful
my eyes pan over the valley
then focus on our small creek
even after a long dry summer
a small but lively current creates
rippling and circular patterns
as it makes it's merry way
around a large boulder midstream
in the nearly still water
just before this obstacle
small circles appear at times
insects skimming the surface
inquisitive small fish nibbling
hard to tell from up here
but as I take it all in
listening to notes of bird song
wind singing in the tall pines
a deep feeling of peace settles
comfortably around my shoulders
blessed gift of the view from here


***


Impatient morning battles fought
over the first feed of a new day
even before dawn has fully broken
they're swarming battling bravely
for that first restorative sip
it's been a long time coming
tempers flare then sudden quiet
they perch sipping deeply at last
long night's fast finally broken
ready to fly into a brand new day


Silvery
slim shape
slowly slips away
shyly hiding behind trees
SELENE


Driving the winding country roads
making the long trip to town
wishing we could just go off road
head out as the crow flies
we'd be there and back again
in a blink of an eye..maybe two


At the break of dawn
soft calls guiding me
they were perched
high up in the pines
calling back and forth
from one tree to another
conversing about the night
just passed..who they saw
watched unblinking hunted
whooo.....whooo....whooo
where they words of wisdom
which I might absorb if only
owl were my third language
inquiring minds want to know


Time traveling into the past
as we make our way to and fro
I often gaze out the window
wondering about lives long gone
how desolate it must have been
at times women often left alone
caring for the family homestead
maybe widowed maybe merely waiting
for their man to return back home
did they relish their solitude
or did deep loneliness find them
more often than not as the days
passed one after another endlessly
week after week maybe months even
during the day busy with chores
but oh how the evenings must
have stretched in front of them
sitting by lantern light alone
did they welcome yet another night
savoring their solitude or did
they sigh heavily staring out of
their small windows into the dark
rangelands stretching for miles
the nearest neighbor hours maybe
even days away surely loneliness
often was their constant companion


A pale moon is rising 
on this dark Samhain night
slowly the veil grows thin
specters are rising
up out of their graves
no longer residing within
they drift in the graveyard
slip out through the gate
looking for someone 
who's out way too late
so hurry on home dear
don't even look back
clutch tightly your treasures
in that big heavy sack
race up to the doorway
wrench open the door
then heavily panting
dive down to the floor
as you lay there you wonder
did you lock the door???

Monday, September 4, 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017


Welcoming another dawn
delicate smudged layers shimmer
bird's first notes rising


Looking up to the heavens
more often than not
wonders can suddenly appear
like last night as the sun
was setting seeing Sol
suddenly swallowed by up
by a large playful dolphin
swimming through currents
in a strangely colored sky
celestial magic sometimes
comes to us through tragedy
many horrific wildfires
coloring our days and nights
making that brief magical
moment even more appreciated


Neverending love affair with Luna
tempts me out into the night
smiling down she returns the love


Delicious like Pumpkin Latte
glorious September moon
first taste of autumn arrives

***
Rain bruised pines
release spicy scent
soft cooing of doves


Dainty copper butterfly
feasting on honeyed source
autumn joy in bloom


Towering thunderheads
first gust of wind
trees now dance wildly
shedding tired leaves
flurries of brown swirl
soon covering the ground
autumn started knocking
firmly on summer's door
insisting "Let me in"!


With a heavy rich drone
he arrives and settles
proud and entitled seeming
potentate of bygone times
wearing rich velvet finery
he sups from the bounty
nature's banquet offers
this dark corpulent king
does not leave the table
but sits and sips endlessly
now and then humble bees
like small courtiers hover near
never forgetting their place
careful not to offend his Majesty


Captured at the gloaming
shining so bright
let's give Peace a chance


Etched delicately on a
soft lavender sky
slender maiden moon

***
High up in a velvet night sky
Luna and Saturn hold court
untouched by struggles below
light years away from it all
appearing divinely serene
maybe that's tonight's lesson
keep your cool keep faith
keep on shining your light
everything's gonna be alright


***
Once again I rise
fatigued battle weary
twisted discordant
dreams following me
into the brightness
of yet another day
dreams of brother
fighting brother
friend betraying friend
gunshots ringing out
running hiding panting
trying to stay alive
do such fears only
plague those who see
with clear eyes ahead
we who are tormented
by the rise of fervent
national pride no longer
harmless but slowly
unfurling whipped on
by the greedy beast
licking it's chops thirsty
for blood and gold
do those who cannot
clearly see the grave
dangers ahead rest easily
dreaming only sweet
dreams of rising once again
greater than ever before
all the world gazing at
our might with envious eyes
while ancestral memories
come knocking on the doors
of those who have lived
it before who know exactly
that such pride comes at a
price comes before a sudden
fall from grace swallowing all
in it's path awful momentum
overpowering all of us
we'll be united then again
suffering the aftermath
together paying the price
praying my fears will come
to naught that common sense
and decency will win that the
battle of light against dark
will be averted as we rise
united throwing of the shackles
of the corporate masters who
divide in order to conquer
may coming days bring
clear vision to all who love
this country may divides
forced upon us by those
who will profit be pushed
aside by our common goal
to build a better nation for all
for this I pray each and every day


Roseate curtains
drift like finest chiffon
adorning the dawn


Evening stillness
blessed moment of peace
home sweet home

***

Evening Meditation

Tonight as I walked the loops
infinitely winding mindfully
around over and over again
fecund golden Luna peering down
coyly through lacy branches of
tall singing pines gracefully
swaying in the evening breeze
to a song known only to them
on the breeze comes the faint
woodsy autumny scent of smoke
not yet from chimneys but from
fires far away just out of sight
only the delicate sunset colors
reveal their location to the west
looking over the tree tops spilling
down the steep slope last light
briefly touches the golden flanks
vast rangelands stretching north
on the far side of our small creek
pools of water still team with life
but it's as if the creek is holding
it's breath waiting for the first
nourishing rains to replenish it
once again tonight as the air cools
suddenly we can feel that the
golden season is upon us once again
and I breathe deeply then exhale
with a sigh of relief..autumn is here