Dull,
brown,
dry as dust,
the trees and ground
cry out for rain.
The skies tease and threaten,
rushes of wind
and clouds of gray.
How long, I wonder,
can it possibly go on this way?
But the drought
goes on
another day.
nature
The Coming and the Going (A Poem)
I can feel it, even now,
in the cool night air
and the subtle shift in the evening light,
and in the gentle way the leaves seem to sigh
and say,
“We are tired, and ready to let go.”
As one season waves goodbye
and another prepares to cross the threshold,
I breathe it in and wait,
and know:
All things come in their own time.
Fly (A Poem)
It’s been a little while since I’ve done one of Rebecca’s poetry challenges over at Fake Flamenco. July’s challenge is a good one! Here’s my entry:
How lucky
are the little birds
to fly –
unafraid,
perched high and serene,
unconfined.
If I could,
would I?
It remains to be seen.
But I can watch the world
from my own
perfect perch,
the nest I’ve made.
It’s not as big
as the sky,
but it’s
mine.
These are so much fun. 😊 If you’d like to participate, too, you’ve got until Sunday. Can’t wait to read what everyone submitted! It’s so cool to see all of the different perspectives on one theme.
Busy Bees (A Poem)
Keep busy,
little fuzzy buzzies,
at your most important industry
and know that in this garden,
you are safe.
Just look at the state of it –
overgrown and ardently wild –
a sign without a sign to say:
Pollinators Welcome.
(Humans, Proceed with Caution.)
I always hope that one day,
probably far away,
I’ll become a gardener.
In the meantime, then,
how lovely to see
that at least I’ve helped create something:
This space for you to gather
what you need.
And how nice, indeed,
to think that Nature nurtures
all on her own,
regardless of me.
Smoke on the Mountain
How are all my followers on the U.S. east coast and in Canada doing? Because around here, it’s a haze of smoke.
I don’t know if you can really tell from this picture. It honestly almost looks like fog on the mountainside. Everything looks just a little soft around the edges. And it’s been like this for days.
I’m writing this on Thursday. My nose is killing me. My eyes are burning. I’ve got an air purifier running. I’m NOT going outside, and we’re limiting Annie-dog’s time out there, too. I did pop out on Wednesday for an appointment and evening trivia, and I gotta tell you, I came back in smelling like wood smoke. It’s supposed to rain here tomorrow, and I hope it helps. I can’t imagine what it’s like being closer to the wildfires.
I sound like I’m complaining, and I really don’t mean to. I’m lucky. I know other people are dealing with this on a much bigger scale. It’s affecting lives and livelihoods and homes and wildlife and it’s terrible. And I’m worried for those living in places more impacted than my little corner of Virginia. I’m worried for what’s happening to the planet.
Not a positive post for a Friday, is this? I do have some happier content planned for next week, I promise. But for now, this is what’s on my mind. I’m sure it’s on a lot of minds.
And I just really hope it gets better soon.
Three Spring Haiku
Each year I’ve waited
For the little frogs to peep
The first sign of spring
Birdsong all around
Morning dew in the meadow
Breathe a sigh of spring
Last night I saw them
The first of the year’s fireflies
Summer’s on the way
Good Morning, May Monday! (Thoughts, and a Poem)
It’s a new week, and a new month! I’ll have a short story out on Wednesday (April’s, just a little late), and in the meantime, I’m playing catch-up from our weekend with family (which was lovely and, as usual, too short). It’s looking to be a busy week, and you know, I’m really fine with that. I always feel like I have more energy and more determination in spring. It’s like watching the earth come alive again makes me feel more alive, too.
So, onward! And here’s a poem to get the week started. 😊 Happy creating, y’all!
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Lady May (A Poem)
Crowned in flowers
and robed in sunshine,
Lady May walks now
from slope to valley,
forest to river
to field and pasture.
And in her dewy wake,
she lines them with color,
paints them green and blue
and pink and white,
bright yellow and regal lavender,
and leaves behind
the joy and hope of a world
come alive once more.
Found Friday #46: A Frequent Visitor
This little guy seems to come back and visit us every year.
We always see him at his favorite spot on the power lines by our back window. Out of curiosity, I looked up bluebirds, and most of the information I found says that they symbolize joy and hope, and are a sign that good things are just around the corner. Well, I sure hope so! But perhaps it’s enough that this little one makes me smile – a big kindness from so small a creature.
Nature is amazing, y’all.
A Morning Walk in Spring
It’s so gorgeous out today, and I just had to share some pictures that Graham snapped on his morning walk with Annie. (Where was I? Alas, I’m not a morning person, so, still in bed.)
I’m really hoping we get some fruit this year from our apple trees. I doubt we will, but you never know!
I suppose they’re just weeds, but I think they’re lovely.
The Japanese maple looks so vibrant in the morning sunlight.
Perhaps I ought to start waking up earlier, right? This is certainly a lot of color and beauty to miss in the service of sleeping in.
The Redbud’s Blooming!
It feels like it happened overnight, and now here we are!
Redbud trees are my favorite. They’re native to the area, and I think every bit as lovely as cherry blossoms. To me, it’s not spring until the redbud trees bloom.
There’s actually a small festival near the town where I grew up. I’ve never attended, despite living so close for so long, and perhaps one of these days I should change that.
But for now, I’ll enjoy this beauty from the comfort of my favorite writing chair.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 