February 24th-28th, 2014

February 24, 2014

~

Crystal rainbow finds me

paints third eye 

colorful enlightenment?

***

February 25th, 2014
~
Morning flights
trailing pink curls
crescent moon smiles 

February 26th, 2014
~
Deep in the woodlands~nearly hidden from sight
first tender green fingers
reach for the light

February 27th, 2014
~
Raindrops quiver~ adorning swelling oak buds
lichens and mosses ~plumped ~ freshly nourished
last night's fierce storm has eased~pounding rain ceased
light rain now~ soaking deep~feeding roots~urging growth
winter storms arrived late~already spring knocks at the door
creek~timid no more ~roars her approval~running muddy
no gentle playful song today~strong currents tear along
swift clouds keep pace~now and then a blue spot winks briefly
 gust of wind tears open the skies~golden rays flood the land
dry no more-nature's blessing upon as at last-precious rain

underbrush~alive with flocks of chattering birds 

singing~drinking deep~bathing~preening

giving voice to our joy

February 28th, 2014
~
Rainy day
yet inside captured rays
shine bright

February 17th-23rd, 2014 ~ A week in Elfje

February 17th, 2014

~

Rising

shining bright

delicate yet strong

sun and moon combined

DAFFODIL

February 18th, 2014

~

Singing

skipping along

dancing with joy

chattering like giddy schoolgirls

CREEK

February 19th, 2014
~
Giant
looming ahead
sporting new coat
dominating road to town
MT.SHASTA

February 20th, 2014
~
Perched
proud profile
overseeing the land
partner settled on egg
EAGLES

February 21st, 2014
~
Alert
heads raised
limpid eyes curious
resting on leftover hay
CALVES

February 22nd, 2014
~
Bucolic
peaceful setting
grass finally greening
nestled together en famille
MOTHERS
~
SWS
~
Watchful mothers
guard their
sleeping calves

February 23rd, 2014
~
Twins
snuggled together
light shining bright
gazing up in unison
CROCUS

February 10th, 2014

February 10th, 2014

~

MM

~

Pine weeps~tears of joy

#2 MM
~

Pot of gold~at the end of the rainbow

February 11th, 2014
~
Venus rises~ miniature moon
ascending~not from a foamy sea
but a deep sapphire blue sky
glowing like a diamond
she slyly winks at me

February 12th, 2014
~
Nocturnal voices call me~surfacing from sleep I wake
cocooned in velvet darkness~ surrounded by delicious warmth 
Feeling Luna's searching gaze~sweeping through the garden
silver rays~calling me to play~beckoning through bamboo shades
only on warm summer nights do I answer her call~venturing out
walking with her on silvered paths~ beneath starry skies
on chill nights I feel her presence~yet resist her call~snug in my bed
closing my eyes tight~sinking deeper~back into my dreams.......of summer

***

February 13th, 2014
~
Drifting
upside down
pounding shell vigorously
busy extracting her dinner
Sea Otter

February 14th, 2014
~
Gray day~winter still reigns
glorious splash of vivid vibrant color
reminds us~spring will come

February 15th, 2014
~
Misty morn~mighty oak stands silently
robin sings~rich notes rise~curl into the gray
avian artist~attempting to conjure up the sun

February 16th, 2014
~
Seven Word Sunday
~
Small faces appear~ bravely searching for spring

***

Poetic Bloomings Prompt #142
~
Love never ceases
~
Love never ceases...... to amaze me
how it comes around time and again
finding us throughout our lives in different guises
sometimes taking the form of romantic love
then the love of a dear friend of many years
sometimes it comes on furry feet~stealing our hearts
filling our lives with unconditional love and acceptance
what is love if not that tender feeling filling us with joy
warming and comforting ~never the same~so many faces
even after the loss of those gone ahead~love lives on
Love never ceases...... to amaze me

February 1st-9th, 2014

February 1st, 2014

~

The old deserted dairy farm sits quietly~basking in last light

behind it a bare cottonwood holds a nest way up high

epic in size~we've often admired it on our way to town

tonight we stop on our way home~pull over~curious

I jump out ~camera in hand~ready for action

hoping to get a good shot before we lose light

focusing the lens to maximum zoom~click~click

back in the  truck he asks~eyes shining bright~elated

"Did you see him fly in and land, did you?" 

Focused on my camera display I missed the landing

the nest well off the road and high~so high

the small display shows only the nest aloft

arriving back home~download complete

we meet the architect face to face at last

Bald Eagle settles for the night

***

February 2nd, 2014
~
Against a pale blue sky
first almond blossoms unfold
ballerinas in delicate tutus
dance in a cold north wind
as if trying to stay warm
setting sun casts a rosy glow
across the wintry barren stage
~
Did they unfurl too soon
tempted by unseasonal warmth
hoping for spring ~eager to emerge
this week winter returns once more
freezing nights ahead~maybe snow
delicate yet strong~they'll survive
offering their sweetness to the bees

***

February 3rd, 2014
~
MM
~
Finally~Mt.Lassen wears a winter coat

February 4th, 2014
~
Alien landscapes shimmer beneath the surface of the creek
aquatic worlds~seemingly uninhabitated ~nothing stirs
green meadows and mountain tops wait for warmer days
when once again finned and froggy denizens will populate
this silent green world~filling it with sound and movement
frogs will sing of love well into the night~dating and mating
silver bellies will flash under the sun~schools of minnows
delighting us with agile dances~twirling in the swift current
we know balmy days are ahead~but for now it's rain we need
the creek lies quiet~eager to receive blessings from above
sorely needed to help this small universe survive and thrive
green cradle of life is ready~but will the drought break in time
searching the sky for answers~anxious for that moist miracle
clouds are gathering~obscuring the blue~dare we hope???

February 5th, 2014
~
Fiery skies~ promise of the storm to come?

***

February 6th, 2014
~
As we pass~ looking to the massive nest
Bald Eagles tumble through the sky~aerial ballet
courting~playing~readying the nursery

February 7th, 2014
~
A day well spend~securing their bond
they sit side by side~content~grooming
the nest~perched high above the silent old dairy
massive in scale~even from a distance
what joy it is to behold this pairing
camera allowing us a peek into their lives
mundane trips to town~enriched by their presence

February 8th, 2014
~
SWS Trio
~
Gathering together~riding out the storm
~
Beach trip off~rain consolation price
~
Stormy weather ushers in Sixth decade

February 9th, 2014
~
Lovely gift graces window~searching for sun
eager to create rainbows~yet thwarted by the rain
shining regardless~brightening this gray day
refracting precious light~glimmering with promise
holding rainbows~deep within it's crystal heart

January 27th-31st, 2014

January 27th, 2014

~

White pearlescent heart clusters~calling all bees

***

January 28th, 2014
~
First steps taken~tickets in hand
more then a plan now~reality
time will fly and so will we

 ***

January 29th, 2014
~
At last they found us~precious drops
falling from churning thick blankets of clouds
blessing the thirsty, parched land 
standing in the garden~long before sunrise
velvet darkness~not a star in sight
just delicious moisture kissing our faces
not nearly enough~but it's a start

January 30th, 2014
~
This time my homeland will not greet him with icy fingers
slipping down his collar~raising goosebumps and chilling noses
instead it will be verdant ~welcoming him with flower filled arms
laying at his feet all of it's charms~ surprise and bewitch him
full of color and life he'll find the land~a lush delightful gypsy
not the ice maiden he met before~who was lovely too
clothed in crystal white ~ misty veils draping her flanks
but oh how he will delight in her warm breezes~this time

***

January 31st, 2014
~
Hawthorn tree waves arms wildly in protest
Mockingbird boldly steals the coral berries
darting branch to branch  harvesting eagerly
~
Each day the little tree looks a bit more bare
there'll be none left for the beautiful Waxwings
who arrive later in the year on their way south
~
Yet the Mockingbird too must eat
a delight to watch as he gathers the tasty treats
leaving trembling branches in his wake 

January 20th-26th, 2014

January 20th, 2014

~

MM

~

Cold wind~dappled refractions dance~thankful for the sun

***

January 21st, 2014

~

Oh dear~not another one ~PLEASE

Such a beauty too~deepest richest Seal Point

wandering the yard~lost?dumped?

Ming is on alert~guarding her food

slinking through the shrubs~watching

 six cats four dogs......no more please!!

The Universe provides too many for us

we have the love and heart but not the means

where do they come from and why here???

Tied to this piece of land by strong furry bonds

we are prisoners of our kindness~ held in bondage 

by soft velvet paws and loving wet noses

we adore them~but when will our time come

to run free~to travel~carefree once more

These thoughts swirl madly~ especially now

planning a trip to visit my aging Mom

and the country of my birth~will help come

or will I travel alone again??

January 22nd, 2014

~

Sunrise~Moonset

~

First light to the East

oak branches etched delicately 

against a pastel sky

~

Pine reaches out

hoping to keep Luna

from slipping away

***

January 23rd, 2014

~

They wheel past~exquisite against a Mother-of-Pearl sky

seabird's last evening flight~bidding the sun farewell

settling on the rising tide~gently getting rocked to sleep

sunset on Monterey Bay~I am here~yet there.....

January 24th, 2014
~
Creek Morning~sun spills into the valley
finding and illuminating little hawk~sitting quietly
proud head~fierce eyes~glowing chest
he waits~watching for movement below
rustling skittering field mice~beware
he too looks to break his fast~not with seeds
but you and yours are to his taste
let not the gentle warmth lull you~take care
lest his first meal will be your last 

January 25th, 2014
~
Beached~basking in the sun~her thick coat shiny
sea otter~usually bopping on the waves~riding the swells
wrapped in strands of kelp, flipping and rolling playfully
often with a treat in paws~loud knocking echoing
as they open shells fiercely pounding~then feasting with gusto
mouth wide open~teeth and smile gleaming as they savor their meal
yet there she is~dozing~soaking up the rays~ a furry beach beauty
occasionally a paw reaches up lazily~a brief scratch in slow motion
then she dozes off again~around her seagulls trip along the shore
with occasional pigeons courting and dancing on the rocks
everyone greeting the morning sun in their own way
as she brings light and warmth to the cool shore

January 26th, 2014
~
SWS
~
Alder catkins expand~ dancing joyfully~anticipating spring

January 13th-19th, 2014

January 13th, 2014

~

Luna adorned herself~glowing halo shines

displayed on chiffon draped velvet

a precious jewel ~ she embellishes the night sky

***

January 14th, 2013
~
Burbling and gurgling fills the air
first aromatic wisps of brewing coffee
find me~tickling my nose
milk and cocoa are ready
Cafe au Chocolat time

January 15th, 2014
~
Headed home~twilight settles
truck hums quietly~ soothing me
Looking out ~watching the evening sky 
last brilliant colors flood the heavens
leaving trees crisply outlined in ink
vivid contrails~like comets~slash the sky
commuter flights~we're all headed home

#2
~
Full Moon Calling
~
She ascends the heavens~ full once more
dazzling ~this first full moon of the year
time and time again she calls to me
Luna~her golden face glowing warmly
I am standing~earthbound~ mesmerized
she casts her spell once again~her golden gaze
not yet silver as she rises~such a blessing to behold
Wolf Moon~no wonder they howl beneath it
I too feel tempted to answer her call
Aaaahooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!


***
January 16th, 2014
~
Guiltily savoring our unseasonable warmth
in my heart I know ~this is so very wrong
clearing the outside eating table for an al fresco lunch 
this just isn't right~it's mid January~WINTER
where is the rain~the cozy days spends inside
sipping hot tea~nibbling cookies~looking out
at blustery weather ~ trees dancing in the storm
joyfully receiving the heavenly wet blessing
heavy drops hitting the windows~feeding the earth
instead I move the sprinkler~again and again
who will tell the garden not to sprout in this false spring
already green tips are showing~fooled by the warm sun
too hot~too soon~too dry~will winter return?

January 17th, 2014
~
Morning Moon
Tai Chi pearl
reaching high I hold her gently
~
With each breath
taking her calm strength 
into my day
~
Breathing deep
hands moving like clouds
she slips away

January 18th, 2014
~
SWS
~
Pine lifts her arms~embracing morning

***
November 19th, 2014
~
Sunday Elfje
~
Waiting
piled high
ready to escape
yearing to be free
Tumbleweeds

January 6th-12th, 2014

January 6th, 2014

~

MM

~

Old bones require sun 

***

January 7th, 2014
~
Two globes of gelato~icy bliss to savor slowly
one Dark Raspberry Chocolate~one Lemon Cookie
nestled in a bowl ~ surrounded by crisp tinned peaches
clouds of whipped cream form a delectable white mountain
two angel winged wafers wave cheerfully from the summit
begging to be nibbled~extracting a wing I relish each bite
grateful for this taste of summer on a brisk winter day

January 8th, 2014
~
Gentle current
mermaid's hair
sways gracefully

***

January 9th, 2014
~
Thick dimpled pewter drapes
curious silver eye peers out briefly
then the curtain twitches closed again
nosey neighbor in the sky~winter sun

January 10th, 2014
~
Remembering Papa
1906-1994
~
Gone too long
Papa and his girls
what magic tales he told
~
Yet he lives on in us
my little sister and I
his creativity the gift we share
~
Separated by years and miles
he is the thread 
that connects us both
~
Happy Birthday, Papa
our fond memories of you
even death cannot erase

***

January 11th, 2014
~
Black phantoms race across the evening sky
dragging tattered cloaks~swirling and churning
harbingers of the approaching promised storm 
they merge~melting into one dark ominous mass
swallowing light~dense darkness falls~not a sliver of silver
we wonder~will they bring rain~or were they merely bragging?

***

January 12th, 2014
~
Seven for Sunday Trio
~
No rain for us~sprinkles fizzled out
~
Pink tutus frolic~frilly sunset clouds dance
~
Garden looks dejected~watering must start today

January 1st-5th, 2014

January 1st, 2014

~
River of Stones
~

A new year~still the words come

tumbling out~asking to be captured

no rest needed~life is calling

~

A blank page~asking to be filled

mindful moments all around

the change in me~deeply rooted now

~

A new year~ that new mindful part of me

brought along from the year just past

the journey continues~first step taken

January 2nd, 2014
~
Silvered winter sun
draws icy gossamer veils
across her setting face

January 3rd, 2014
~
Looking up at the cerulean blue sky
intricate patterns of cirrus clouds swirl
shapeshifters~silently creating wonderous sculpture
on their flanks a Crowned Crane rises

***

January 4th, 2014
~
Nearing the end of the day~silver crescent moon sets
seemingly floating in a rose pearlescent sky
such beauty illuminates even the darkest corners

***
January 5th, 2014
~
Brisk north wind whistles
ruffling my hair
above pines sway
singing joyfully 
leaning and dipping
enjoying the dance