Rising fragrantly
safe in the secret garden
this brave survivor
recovering from assault
by inquisitive naughty deer
thrice they savaged her
but yet she blooms
bringing forth leaves and
fragrant pink blossoms
rising from her brave heart
hidden safely in the earth below
Slim dark blue body
shimmery shell
daintiest of snails
had a bit of a fright
moments away from death
rescued in the nick of time
Headed home
lo and behold
sun star to guide us
or alien abduction in progress
who knows what's on the other side of the hill??
Surreal clouds
streak across the horizon
endless reign of clear skies over
barren earth eagerly absorbs precious
moisture...dire drought broken...let it rain
Photo Prompt
offered by Patricia Vande Valle
***
Sleeping beauty on ice
red paws folded primly
across her chest waiting
for what...a prince
or my eyes to adjust
seeing beyond the shroud
encasing her tenderly
discovering a slim
sprig of cedar with cone
imagination running wild again
Don't know why
but I deeply love the sky
near the gloaming........
Slowly little pin oak
withdraws sustenance
soon leathery leaves
will clatter and rustle
in coming winter storms
holding on tight
until spring buds
start urging them
to release their fierce grip
Nestled in fallen
cherry plum leaves
catmint emerges
tempting the cats
to have a quick roll
NIRVANA
Found in the cluttered
drawer of forgotten things
just in time to celebrate
charming frame ushers in
second Sunday of Advent
It's been thirty five years ago this month
since we stood above the city
looking down at Old Town and the castle
it was our first trip together
meeting my family over the holidays
how well I remember endlessly walking
on the river meadow below the apartment
feeding greedy swans and watching barges
looking up toward the old bridge and castle
then walking the streets after dark
Christmas Markets festive and all aglow
inhaling the sweet scent of Gluehwein
listening to the sputtering of sausages
being turned on the grill swiftly lifted
into a crisp Broetchen then holding
them in our cold hands warm and fragrant
to this day the memory warms our hearts
those six weeks were magical truly
our very best Merry Christmas ever
as well as the most exciting New Year
watching Richard's mouth drop open
as Heidelbergers unleashed their
fireworks and golden fire streamed
down the ancient castle walls
leaving the air filled with the scent
of sulphur as all the church bells
rang out joyfully welcoming the New Year
Slender
shape shines
adorning the sky
drawing our eyes skyward
LUNA
Sizzling
slipping swiftly
sublime stained sky
softly sliding sumptuous silken
SUNSET
Heavens are ablaze
in my mind I can clearly hear a
glorious celestial symphony
Divine Luna
don't be shy
isn't it too early
to say Good Night??
Pale cool winter sun
winding my scarf tighter
Chilly toes
yet at my feet
lays warmth
golden heart glows
feeding my soul
***
At the end of the year
as winter settles
bringing cold and chills
to the woodlands
already tiny signs
of rebirth appear
from the seemingly
sleeping earth
tiny green leaves
peek through the litter
of fallen leaves
promise of spring
in the dead of winter
After the storm
ethereal veil shimmers
morning magic
If you dare come
walk into the mist with me
I will take you
down to the small creek
follow me closely
on this narrow deer path
can you hear the creek
rumbling down below
just around the bend
we will find it rushing along
replenished by yesterday's winter storm
Agile avian acrobats
create autumnal ambiance
chattering and fluttering
noisily giving thanks for
plentiful berry harvest
now silence returns again
only sign of their visit
plentiful purplish splats
***
Solstice morn
long night now past
cloudy silver-gray skies
softly moon illuminated
all through the night
yet Luna never showed
her glowing face
nor did meteors streak
across in plain sight
Jupiter and Mercury
all heavenly wonders
promised remained hidden
from our hopeful eyes
only our restless night's sleep
diving in and out of dreams
attested to their celestial travels
on this first morning of winter
oaks raise their barren branches
up to the sky as if in prayer
surely they too felt the shift
silent turning of the wheel
moving back into the light
slowly minute by minute
days lengthen once again
even as we settle into the season
of rest and renewal we feel
time moving back into the light
All hail Luna
rising high
glowing bright
in eastern sky
layers of blue
palest rose sorbet
night is falling
on this first winter day
Though she is waning
still her light shines bright
ascending the heavens
high up into the arms of night
Like a sculpture
he sits motionless
sharp eyes alert
slightest movement below
noted..beware small furry ones
Small elegant fowl
paddles swiftly
ducks out of sight
over and over again
dining on unseen delicacies
leaving behind rippling circles
***
Willows in winter
water of polished pewter
shoreline adorned with teasel
delicate branches reach high
providing shelter for paired owls
bringing small treasures he woes her
together they sit quietly in the gentle rain
eyes open wide in wonder we watch silently
***
Nature's camouflage
juvenile eagle nearly invisible
what does he see??
Two ravens squabble noisily
below regal eagles wait
their sharp focus elsewhere
***
Another rainy day
blurs the wintry landscape
wet blessing gratefully received
Flotilla of snow geese
sails along stately
in their midst small mud hen
keeps pace no doubt
leaf shaped feet paddling
furiously yet looking
quite elegant afloat with giants
Slim dark blue body
shimmery shell
daintiest of snails
had a bit of a fright
moments away from death
rescued in the nick of time
Headed home
lo and behold
sun star to guide us
or alien abduction in progress
who knows what's on the other side of the hill??
Surreal clouds
streak across the horizon
endless reign of clear skies over
barren earth eagerly absorbs precious
moisture...dire drought broken...let it rain
Photo Prompt
offered by Patricia Vande Valle
***
Sleeping beauty on ice
red paws folded primly
across her chest waiting
for what...a prince
or my eyes to adjust
seeing beyond the shroud
encasing her tenderly
discovering a slim
sprig of cedar with cone
imagination running wild again
Don't know why
but I deeply love the sky
near the gloaming........
Slowly little pin oak
withdraws sustenance
soon leathery leaves
will clatter and rustle
in coming winter storms
holding on tight
until spring buds
start urging them
to release their fierce grip
Nestled in fallen
cherry plum leaves
catmint emerges
tempting the cats
to have a quick roll
NIRVANA
Found in the cluttered
drawer of forgotten things
just in time to celebrate
charming frame ushers in
second Sunday of Advent
It's been thirty five years ago this month
since we stood above the city
looking down at Old Town and the castle
it was our first trip together
meeting my family over the holidays
how well I remember endlessly walking
on the river meadow below the apartment
feeding greedy swans and watching barges
looking up toward the old bridge and castle
then walking the streets after dark
Christmas Markets festive and all aglow
inhaling the sweet scent of Gluehwein
listening to the sputtering of sausages
being turned on the grill swiftly lifted
into a crisp Broetchen then holding
them in our cold hands warm and fragrant
to this day the memory warms our hearts
those six weeks were magical truly
our very best Merry Christmas ever
as well as the most exciting New Year
watching Richard's mouth drop open
as Heidelbergers unleashed their
fireworks and golden fire streamed
down the ancient castle walls
leaving the air filled with the scent
of sulphur as all the church bells
rang out joyfully welcoming the New Year
Slender
shape shines
adorning the sky
drawing our eyes skyward
LUNA
Sizzling
slipping swiftly
sublime stained sky
softly sliding sumptuous silken
SUNSET
Heavens are ablaze
in my mind I can clearly hear a
glorious celestial symphony
Divine Luna
don't be shy
isn't it too early
to say Good Night??
Pale cool winter sun
winding my scarf tighter
to keep out the chill
yet at my feet
lays warmth
golden heart glows
feeding my soul
***
At the end of the year
as winter settles
bringing cold and chills
to the woodlands
already tiny signs
of rebirth appear
from the seemingly
sleeping earth
tiny green leaves
peek through the litter
of fallen leaves
promise of spring
in the dead of winter
After the storm
ethereal veil shimmers
morning magic
If you dare come
walk into the mist with me
I will take you
down to the small creek
follow me closely
on this narrow deer path
can you hear the creek
rumbling down below
just around the bend
we will find it rushing along
replenished by yesterday's winter storm
Agile avian acrobats
create autumnal ambiance
chattering and fluttering
noisily giving thanks for
plentiful berry harvest
now silence returns again
only sign of their visit
plentiful purplish splats
***
Solstice morn
long night now past
cloudy silver-gray skies
softly moon illuminated
all through the night
yet Luna never showed
her glowing face
nor did meteors streak
across in plain sight
Jupiter and Mercury
all heavenly wonders
promised remained hidden
from our hopeful eyes
only our restless night's sleep
diving in and out of dreams
attested to their celestial travels
on this first morning of winter
oaks raise their barren branches
up to the sky as if in prayer
surely they too felt the shift
silent turning of the wheel
moving back into the light
slowly minute by minute
days lengthen once again
even as we settle into the season
of rest and renewal we feel
time moving back into the light
All hail Luna
rising high
glowing bright
in eastern sky
layers of blue
palest rose sorbet
night is falling
on this first winter day
Though she is waning
still her light shines bright
ascending the heavens
high up into the arms of night
Like a sculpture
he sits motionless
sharp eyes alert
slightest movement below
noted..beware small furry ones
Small elegant fowl
paddles swiftly
ducks out of sight
over and over again
dining on unseen delicacies
leaving behind rippling circles
***
Willows in winter
water of polished pewter
shoreline adorned with teasel
delicate branches reach high
providing shelter for paired owls
bringing small treasures he woes her
together they sit quietly in the gentle rain
eyes open wide in wonder we watch silently
***
Nature's camouflage
juvenile eagle nearly invisible
what does he see??
Two ravens squabble noisily
below regal eagles wait
their sharp focus elsewhere
***
Another rainy day
blurs the wintry landscape
wet blessing gratefully received
Flotilla of snow geese
sails along stately
in their midst small mud hen
keeps pace no doubt
leaf shaped feet paddling
furiously yet looking
quite elegant afloat with giants
The end of the year is near
what waits ahead around
yet many unknown corners
which road will we take
will our travels next year
be smooth and sunny
if not may we weather
any storms ahead with grace
