Thursday, November 1, 2018

NOVEMBER 2018


Sol rises spilling red gold
across Gaia's flank
cool November morning


Delectable sweetness
entices wild bees
into Datura's cool heart


Everywhere we go
Bear is there


Always look up
you just might find
regal splendour


Barely awake
looking east
doomsday sky


Golden crescent
promise
of new beginnings


Liquid eyes
sunlit ears
elegant deer


Mary Oliver's
elegant verse
wild geese


Poetry filled sky
wild geese aloft


Stealthy stalk
slim beak
strike ready


Pas de Deux
breathtaking
performance
ENCORE!!



Raven's persistent
hoarse croak
summoning family


Blood orange sun
adrift in smoke


Tangerine moon
sweet slice
of heaven



Always alert
fearing humans
Wiley Coyote


***


Faux full moon
smokey sunset sizzles


Mindfully stepping
in between storms
gathering small stones


Dancing trees
carpet of gold and copper
at their feet


Sunbeams slip across time
solemn tick tock
soothing morning symphony


Sol to the West of us
Luna to the East
stuck in the middle with two


***


Morning still life
illuminated by sunshine
crashing surf audible in my mind


Golden morning sun
shining in this century
illuminating the distant past



Once again our giant looms
clad in wintry finery
dominating the vast valley


At long last
first storms find us
fine mists drift
blurring our view
thirsty earth receives
moist blessings
tousled reeds rejoice
waving as we pass
rainy day mindfulness


Deep red hearts
shiver in the wind
refusing to let go....


After the storm
mulberry leaves piled high
golden currency


Elder Creek

First heavy storm
only days ago a dry creek bed
now roaring back to life
muddy foam flecked flanks
twist along downstream
debris bobs jauntily
as if enjoying the wild ride

***

PROMPT: Deck the Halls Memories

Some of my Christmas memories
are too sad to unpack
yet others shine brightly
that utter delight as the door opens
revealing flickering candles
on that fragrant piece of forest
shining baubles twinkling
tempting candies and cookies asking
to be harvested from this tree of plenty

***

Scattered white clouds
sail across the deep indigo sky
bright twinkling stars


Images still linger
replaying over and over
even with eyes firmly closed
reliving our first glimpse
of these magnificent cranes
elegantly stepping along
sharp eyes scanning carefully
we'll return before long
to feast our eyes once more

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

OCTOBER 2018


Golden October
waves a last farewell
to hot summer days


Laying in supplies
for cold winter days
sure to come soon
already his fur coat
grows luxuriously thick
watching us bright eyed
he pauses mid nibble
then resumes eating lunch


There's a stillness 
at the little lake now
visitors are few
not even the echo 
of summer voices remain
peace has settled
golden teasel edges
cool blue green water
ripples chase across
in a soft autumn breeze


Even late in the year
one hundred million gallons
spill into the jeweled pool
each and every day which
really is such a marvel
when you think about it
to be standing here moist mist
softly kissing my cheeks
in our drought plagued state
it feels like a blessing really
after our long hot smoky summer
to receive nature's benediction



Owl's crystal eyes
spill refracted light
into the quiet space
rainbows tremble
on sage green walls
silent woodland glade
alongside Buddha's
serene golden face
everyday magic transforms
unease into serenity
world's turbulence retreats
if only for these few moments


My love of nature
these roots keep me sane
in the damaging
wind of our current reality
moments of beauty found
balance the despair
which keeps me awake at night
this small shrub
tethered in the earth
it's strong roots remind me
to be strong to be persistent
to thrive even in this climate
of greed and dishonesty beyond belief


Golden October light
spills it's treasure indoors
dabbled shadows flutter
outside in the fierce wind
pines bend and dance
sighing and singing endlessly
tarnished spend leaves
twirl in whirlwind gusts
warm days yet but autumn's
cool nights tell another story


Like a woodland stream
words start flowing once again
tumbling over rocks
making their way onward
gathering speed until  
swiftly spilling onto my page 
not unlike waterfalls of poetry


Small flowering islands
bop gently on the current
how cool their toes must be
modestly hidden under generous
fringed green skirts spread
atop the deep emerald water
maybe below tiny minnows slip 
through forests of slender 
stems playing hide and seek
wouldn't it be lovely 
dangling our feet right here
feeling them nibble on our toes
but oh the water...how cold it is!!!


There are times
when I feel rooted like this tree
holding firm
clinging to a little island
life rushing
past leaving me isolated
yet the current
brings flotsam messages
from upstream
notes reminding me
even when we feel alone
we're really not....are we?!


October Splendour
*
These fiery hues
illuminated by the sun
Nature's quilt
these rich colors glow
embrace the soul
rich feast for the eyes
autumn's heart song
felt all the way to my bones



How tranquil he looks
bedded down on sweet hay
infinity path replenished
once again soft to tread on
quite comfortable to lay on
Buddha Bear's quality seal of
approval canine zen master
taking his ease.....JUST BREATHE


Luna's crescent glows
she's not alone this night
Saturn sits at her feet
soon Mars will take Saturn's
place moving ever closer
his red eye in the shadows
awaiting a turn in her glow
it's not often she has company
more often than not she chooses
to travel solitary through the nights


Across the creek
robins preen
red breasts aglow


Sauntering through the garden
amidst red dragon tongues
one lone morning glory
basks in the October sun
inner light shining bright
striped purple robe all aglow
first morning blessing found


On silvered wings
rafts of buzzards glide
swiftly on strong winds
some paired others alone
drawing intricate patterns
on blue skies....mesmerizing


Nearing the end of the year
pale pink rosebuds unfurl
these blushing maidens reminding
us to celebrate the inner child
within....even at our own season of the crone


Last hot autumn days
filled with glorious color
pale blue Plumbago
subtle reflection of the sky
in the cool of the night
crickets are still singing softly


Small furry gatherer
pauses only briefly
he's bringing in the harvest
for the coming cold season
there's no time to waste...hurry!!


Like quicksilver
glistening in the sun
eager to spill
into the emerald pool
leaves are turning
bright copper and scarlet
blissful gilded afternoon


On gossamer wings
living out the last brief
days of their lives
already numbers dwindled
once big squadrons
danced overhead gracefully
last survivors are flying solo


This moment of mindfulness
little bird meditation
on a roseate autumn morning


Early risers greet the day
with raucous enthusiasm
rising settling preening


Last sliver of sun
gone in the blink of an eye
lone crow flies home


Over the crest of Mt. Toro
slim alien ship hovers briefly
rising swiftly revealing
lunar encounters of the third kind
awaiting the light...please beam us up


Proud galleons of the night
glowing in darkness
not sailing the seven seas
rooted on solid foundations
hillside homes illuminate the night


Friendship still thrives
after four decades
loving those rosy cheeks
and the kind caring soul within
treasuring the blessing...kindred spirits


Rallying one more time
at season's end
brutal summer days over
amid the ruins of blossoms long gone
she unfurls her finest organdy gown defiantly


She's just a shadow of her
former full self now
but oh she rose in splendour
peering coyly through branches
partially swathed in finest cloud chiffon


Joy of waking
whole world at your feet
just waiting 



Heads are tossing
red and gold
northern winds
grow strong and bold
berries ripen
glowing in the sun
let's head outside
let's have some fun
twirl along merrily
dance with falling leaves
open eyes in wonder
at what Mother Nature weaves


***


Witch's cauldron bubbles
eyes watching all aglow
moon is shining brightly
two toads croaked loudly "NO"
please don't throw us
in your special brew
surely magic herbs will do
spiderling is dangling
bats are swooping low
witch stirs her bubbling kettle
trick or treating she will go
she might look a little scary
but do not be afraid
she means no harm to anyone
caramel apples she did make :-)