NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2020

 

Regally surveying

his creek side domain

no longer young

but neither are we

aging gracefully together

One bright eye

turned up to celestial blue sky

what does it see

OCTOBER 2020

Nearly full she teases

playing hide and seek

coyly peeking....I see you!

All is not lost 

glorious sunrise reminding us....HOPE!!

It was a cool autumn night

slowly the veils start to thin

dead branches reach fiercely

through subtle layers of colors

into a darkening bruised sky

grasping ..reaching....what do they want?!

All Hallows' Full Moon

rises silently

only bats and owls

travel this night

searching for prey

aided by her milky light

their hunt silent but deadly...

JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

 

AUGUST 2020

***

August is nearly over this summer, much like the better part of this year, 

just a blur of endless bad news spanning the globe. Pandemic has stolen our 

"normal" lives, rendering us stunned and uncomfortable in this new

reality we are now living. Now fires ravage our state, mask wearing around

the clock these days, other than when sleep finally finds us. Windows

normally wide open at night, now shut against the smoke slithering, insidious

as it makes it's way through the valleys. Mornings find it hanging on 

the treetops all around us. Acorns fall, sounding like gunshots on the 

metal roofs. Oaks are shedding their leaves, exhausted from the relentless

heat no doubt. We yearn for autumn and an easing of all that troubles us. 

These past few months, just a blur of of COVID, election chaos and now since mid August endless fires. As I type this, looking out the window all I see are deep orange sky, the woodlands outlined against it a stark inky, black. We've been spared thus far, only seeing the endless frantic posts of evacuations, losses of homes, lives, all amid the pandemic. Words have failed me, hence the silence here. 

Last night Luna, as she traveled to the West started blushing. First 

just a tender red gold glow, then a deep red-orange color as she 

sailed closer to the fires. Tonight she is brighter, her face pale

and serene as she's still high overhead. Sometime in the night she

will once again turn as she sinks into the smoke laying across the

western horizon. 

Resting in the shade

mother and son

escaping the cruel heat

Sky smudged in charcoal

spread beneath the toxic blanket

Gaia's flanks glow golden

JUNE 2020

Days pass

slipping swiftly 

or sometimes too slowly

one after another

Luna waxes and wanes

her cycles constant 

we on the other hand

are thrown off track

often not even knowing days

or weeks or months

all I know is that the other night

who knows exactly when

looking up there she was

mere slender sliver in the night sky

Last weekend in May

sudden thunderstorms rocked us

maybe reflecting the chaos

on earth rolling through all day

waking us even before dawn

clashing cymbals of thunder

back to back slashes of lightening

through it all trees swayed

boughs bend beneath heavy rain

but come June morning

as the sun rose once again

tattered Linden offered up 

scented stars hoping to tempt the bees

Rising cheerfully
on already drought browned hills
small suns shimmer

After the storm
Elder Creek embellished
with scattered clouds

Just before dawn
silver ribbons shimmers
through the trees

MAY 2020

I dream nightly

dreams filled with discord

my subconscious mind

is wide awake as I slumber

waking nearly nightly now

too long before dawn

heart pounding fiercely

panic stricken I rise

standing in the kitchen

waiting for the kettle to boil

trying to calm myself

talk myself back down

sipping soothing herbal tea

I wonder...how much longer

can this go on how much longer

will this feeling of overwhelm

disturb our peace of mind

each day and now in the dark of night

our world thrown in chaos

not only by the insidious virus

but by the virulent ugly

mood rising in our country

hate filled faces assault rifles

pretending to be patriots

encouraged by one up high

who gloats and tweets

knowing that division is his

only hope of staying in power

all I can think of is how

much more can we bear???

***

Rain oh blessed rain

Clematis quivers in delight

as first drops hit her blossoms

was there ever a scent sweeter

than delightful petrichor

after weeks of drought and

days of unseasonable heat

rushing around moving

dog beds in the garden

hearts jumping for joy

echoing the fat drops of rain

dancing on the birdbath..oh joy!

Struggling for balance

struggling to find words to describe

even this glowing beauty

APRIL 2020

This month has been a blur, my creativity at an all time low. Trying to recreate the days I missed, no rhyme, no reason, just going to post them as I remember them, starting with today's pondering as the month is nearly over.

COVID BLUES

Is it COVID...or just the common cold
these aches and pains
hopefully because I am growing old

Every cough or sneeze
is it the dreaded disease or is
profuse golden pollen to blame

Sipping strong hot tea
enhanced with lemon and honey
can’t afford to get sick ain’t got the money

Week after week like beads on a string
staying put ain’t getting easier
but we’ve got to beat this evil thing

Patience is growing thin at times
our tempers start to fray
looking to the future hoping for brighter days

Last night Luna and Venus met

gracing the night sky

standing out in the garden

watching their ascent

wondering to myself

would I find suitable words

would I bother to get the camera

would I download the images

would I open the laptop

would I write in my blog at last

so many would's and then I did

while the words are not flowing

like a waterfall after a heavy rain

still the spring has not completely dried up

there is hope my muse has not fled the scene

that I can order my thoughts once more into a flow

nothing epic mind you just slowly getting my groove back

Night is falling
Jasmine stars scent the night
evening star glows
to the West last subtle light
a sky filled with inky cloudscapes

Words flit in and out of sight
like butterflies
floating on a spring breeze

***

I should be baking
lemons languish on the tree
but what I bake...we eat
hibernation weight gathers

***

Even during quarantine
bills are still due
laptop is pouting sluggishly

***

Outside the window
large drifts of ants rise
on translucent wings

***

Freshly baked crunchy rolls
buttered then eaten
with dark chocolate truffles
NIRVANA

***

By now on this day I would have

arrived in the city of my birth

wrapped my arms around my

tiny aunt who raised me as a babe

then reached up to hug my

tall warm hearted cousin exited

Frankfurt airport starting my excellent

adventure back at home again

where part of my heart still lives

instead I lay curled under the

covers sad wanting to eat

my body weight in chocolate

with hot crisp rolls to ease

that ache I want to hibernate

and wake when this nightmare

is finally over when we’ll be free

once more to roam and visit

but then my thoughts go to all

laying in hospital beds fighting

for each breath alone no visitors

their families preparing for the worst

and then I think of those now

in deep mourning never again

to see the faces they love to wrap

their arms around them tightly

robbed of even the chance to say

last goodbyes robbed of funerals

memorials of lives ended too soon

how can I lay here and mope

eyes moist with only the loss of a trip

not the loss of a beloved’s life

rising I stomp down the hall into

another blessed day of life

damn you to hell COVID-19 you

greedy life stealing bastard

don’t you darken the doors

of the ones I love both family

and friends sheltering in place

all around the globe waiting in fear

that you will find them your spiked

ball rolling down the halls seeking

new victims...DAMN YOU TO HELL COVID-19

***

Diaphanous pale pink veils

drift in a tender blue sky

morning has broken

Maybe you thought I forgot
about glorious Luna
she was full earlier this month
at the time no words came
but thinking back now
as I walked the garden that night
her shining face slipping
in and out of sight sometimes veiled
then her radiant rays spilling down
illuminating not only that night but
also shining a soothing light
into our current darkness
welcome reprieve....filling me with gratitude

Palest gray translucent tender blue
adrift on this canvas
small clouds of bright flamingo pink
looking east lakes of liquid gold appear
jubilant birdsong rises celebrating another day

MARCH 2020

No gentle zephyr

fierce cold north wind rising

plum blossom blizzard

***

Graceful dance

twisting and turning slim cypress

welcome March

Already bees arrive

crowded around the old bowl

sipping deeply

Hearty survivors

rising from the nearly dead

Moonstruck

Dusky rose caterpillars

thick as my thumb

bursting impatiently

first pale blossoms emerge

bees will hum a song of praise

Second golden wave

rises shyly from the green

latecomer’s scent tendrils

drift on a gentle breeze

weaving through budding

branches~birds rejoice

this morning rain finally falls

gentle oh so gentle baptizing

all brave souls bursting into bloom

Love Lives On

She slipped away quietly

much too soon for those left behind

suddenly after weeks of drought

this morning even the heavens weep

may our loving memories of you

soothe aching broken hearts

bereft at this most grievous loss

beloved wife mother grandmother

dearest sister of the heart

may you rise high on angel wings

***

Last night I forgot to close the blinds

snuggled deep under the covers

falling asleep to the sound of rain

pounding heavily onto the roof

then waking to a light sky outside

rising ready to jump into a new day

but my clock showed only two am

gazing out I saw Luna peeked briefly

through veils of racing clouds

walking into the cool damp night

watching her play hide and seek

then returning to the warm house

stoking the still smoldering fire

back to life setting the clocks ahead

closing the blinds snuggling back

under the still warm covers to soon

woken by Ming’s plaintive cries

urgent whisker tickling head butting

prancing up and down on my pillow

WAKE UP......FEED ME....WAKE UP!!!

Paying homage to Luna

walking in her silvery light

robe clutched tightly

unable to resist her siren call

as she slowly sets in a mackerel sky

legs growing cold I dart back inside

but even here close to the warm fire

she peers through the narrow window

pale face glowing through the pine

then sinking behind tall spires of cypress

slipping slowly out of sight...moonstruck again

***

Self Isolation in Paradise
***
And yet life goes on
birds still sing their hearts out
bees gather at the edge of the bowl
resting and recharging while sipping water
doves coo woodpeckers hammer
hummingbirds squabble high pitched
squeaks of outrage in between sips
gray squirrel holds sunflower seeds
in tiny gray paws black eyes shining
Wisteria spills like lavender lace over
the small rustic gate to the garden
first roses unfurl their velvety petals
fragrant white lilac glows at twilight
as if nothing is amiss~because life goes on

***

How as women our brain so often lies to us
we’re not pretty enough young enough
seems like the lies just go endlessly on and on
looking back at pictures of myself
when I was young but thought myself ugly
now I see an attractive young woman
looking back at me and I am saddened
because I believed my brain’s message
that I was not and would never be enough
now as I look in the mirror growing old
wrinkles slowly changing everything
silver strands weaving through dark hair
wishing I would have loved myself more
back then when I was young....time flies
why waste it on worrying about an image
distorted by the ramblings of the inner voice

***

Native Flute gentle sounds
streaming from the little Bose
Petey dozes quietly now
hyperactivity finally at rest
music soothing the nervous beast

Warm bowl of comfort
on a cold comfort morning
afraid of the morning news

Bowing her head
kissed by a cruel late frost
crunchy petals
now weeping tiny tears
hoping the the sun will revive her

This morning’s frozen tulip......Warrior Queen!
Heart open wide
ready to bask
her moment in the sun

FEBRUARY 2020

Driving through Paradise

our hearts 

are heavy

***

Sunshine

illuminates 

robin's red chest~glowing

***

Laundry dances merrily

achy frozen fingers

thawing by the stove

***

Slowly sailing vortex high

rafts of buzzards

mere black dots in the sky

***

Windy day

lone bee sips

from a violet's heart

***

Sipping peach juice

from a Chinese rice bowl

translucent rice pattern

like a night sky filled with stars

tipping back savoring one last drop

Lemon Sponge Pie

delights the eye

too hot to cut

it's making me sigh

***

High up in the oaks

jubilant robin chorus

greets a new day

***

Rose gold morning magic

Bald Eagle sails with buzzards

rising sun gilds snowy white tail

setting Luna glows~Snow Moon magic

Winter sunshine

colorful rays fill even empty jars

deep golden honey glows

***

Words appear

and disappear at will

determined to catch them

Morning pearl moon

little frog worships quietly

at her silvery feet

***

Eating my solitary lunch

at our little table suddenly too big

deep silence broken only by

dog sighs and snuffles

occasionally a low sad moan

he’ll be back in a few days time

after visiting his ailing sister

but still we miss his presence

this temporary separation an

unsettled view into a solitary future

if nothing else a reminder

to savor all the years yet given to us

Early morning crescent

floats in a pale blue sea sky

just out of reach

Glistening they rise

from last year’s debris

royal purple beauty

Oak Henge Hearth

fiercely crackles to life

warming my hands oh the bliss

fallen oak gives comfort gives heat

morning chill lifts as the flames dance merrily

Stepping outside

into the morning sun

getting my groove back

gazing into this bowl of purple

small yellow centers cheerfully smile up at me

JANUARY 2020

Twin moons

stand cheek to cheek

deeply rooted yet

far reaching connections

send pulsing signals

fungal messages travel

in a tongue unknown to us

Rising bravely
from last year's debris
shining sentinels of hope


Delicate scent of summer
tendrils waft through the house
Lemon Sponge Pie

***
Looking out into the chilly morning hands wrapped
around my cup of ti
savoring each sip

***

Gnarled fingers
pierce morning fog
winter oaks

Filled with sunshine
glowing side by side
tart delight awaits

At the gloaming
delicate colors glow
plaintive sparrow's song

Chasing Luna on a frosty January morning, what was I thinking?
Camera in hand, fuzzy slippers and flannel pajama clad I headed
out into the garden. In my defense, I did put on a warm hat and
downy vest, but no socks. I knew my best chance of capturing her
beauty would be at the back of the property, going down toward
the creek. For a moment I stopped, thinking to change at least
my footwear, then decided to soldier on, knowing she would be
setting soon. It was worth every freezing minute!! Slim ribbons
of clouds would slip across her bright face, then long, spiky
pine branches would adorn her. So entranced was I, the bitter
cold was hardly noticed. I could see the silvery course of the
creek, reflecting her light. The silence was broken only by the
back and forth hooting of the Great Horned Owl pair, all else
was still asleep and silent. As Luna slipped down toward the
coastal range, to the east the sky was soon shimmering in rose
gold streaks against a luminous, pale blue.It was tempting to
go even further, but by now I could feel the ache of my nearly
frozen fingers, time to head back. Slip sliding my way up the steep
slope, I watch the sky grow ever lighter, the huge oak's bare
branches near the cottage appearing like inky twisted, inky
fingers. My poor slippers were on sideways, more often than not
now filled with damp bits of of forest debris.
Was it moon madness luring me out into the cold?

***

Early evening flights
skewer the darkening sky
roosting song of the sparrows

Gray cold day
sipping tea by the fire
calming tai chi music
morning bliss

***

Foggy morning
in the big rose tree
quail mumble sleepily

***

Glorious rose gold sky
bare oaks embrace morning
with wide open arms

Majestic young eagle
perched up high
claiming his domain
or just resting
after hunting for dinner?

Hurrying home late
then stopping....breathing...inhaling
setting sun splendour

***

High above a pine
sailing between dark clouds
slender maiden moon

***

Delectable tendrils
drift through the house
chocolate brownies

***

Small square window
heavenly bodies shine
Luna and Venus
diagonal corner to corner
perfectly framed
another mindful moment

Rose gold gloaming
in the hedges
birds chirp good night

***

Pale blue sky
wisps of gilded clouds
morning dawns

***

Pulling down the shades
against the dark
snug in our warm cocoon

***

Cold blustery morning
slim cypress sway
dancing in the rain

***

My my chicken pie
adorned with lovely butterfly
puffs of steam
and gravy bubbles
looks like heart vent
nicely doubled
please do not fly away
my treasure for
eating you will be a pleasure

***

Dark chewy brownies
lashings of whipped cream
match made in heaven