These are the magic shoes that fairies wear
to the Pine Needle Ball each summer solstice.
The Artist
Indian Paintbrush colors the meadow
with embers of sunset.
Knowing
This is the deer who knows my soul
and seeks me out to remind me
of the gentleness of wildlife.
Commonplace Alchemy
A single stem
an ordinary weed
the exquisite process of living.
Route
At the onset the way seems straight forward
but just out of sight are the dips, rises, swerves and curves
that transform a trip into a journey.
Moth Magic
Fuzzy lemon drop
wings kissed by lavender
one pink leg steps forward
Auspiciousness
Marigold is the sun’s bride,
the guardian of goodness
at the garden’s gate.
Rose without Thorns
Beloved maiden of the garden
peony heals sorrow with her beauty.
Astilbe
The red spire rises.
Nature’s Olympic flame of summer
will burn bright for the duration.
God’s Eye
In every blossom
the divine is looking back at you.
Lupin
A meeting of friends in the meadow.
Quaker Bonnets gather
offering their quiet beauty to the whole of the land.
Field of Dreams
Dreams take shape slowly
emerging from soft surroundings
an impression forms, staking claim on hope.
Fleur-de-lis
Noble in color, royal in birthright
Iris is the garden’s rainbow goddess.
Traveler’s Joy
Darling of the door yard garden
clematis climbs up and along the picket fence;
most brilliant and ingenious buttercup.
Hillside
The slope demands effort
while promising a summit view.
Mygolomorph
Tarantula of tree roots
dips its many wooden legs into the river
and awaits its kayak prey.
In Place
An open stretch of sky, grass as soft as velvet
the wandering Connecticut River within reach;
all is well, God is near.
Change
The thunderhead rolls in
soon to darken the blue sky with rain
and throw lightening bolts like Zeus.
Field of Astor
Lavender and yellow delights
gather in the meadow
Woodstock for wildflowers.
Chieftan Trees
The sweetest of woods
pine’s scent releases burdens from heads and hearts
and so they are known as the Keepers of Peace.
Honeysuckle
Heavenly scented, heady hedgerow
offering frilly goblets to hummingbirds.
Calm
Midday by the river just the barest of breezes blows
and the only sound is of bees and dragonflies at work.
Wild Purple
Both leaf and petal wear purple proudly
borrowing from violet, lilac and mulberry.
Watchfulness
From the sanctuary of the woods animals watch
the metal bridge that carries man and his many parcels and purpose
to the other side and back again.
Ready Field
Tilled earth soaks up the sun
and waits for the seeds
of this season’s purpose to be planted.
Looking Up
Beneath a canopy of green
lie down on the soft welcoming earth
and claim your special place in the world
by being there.
Biggest Star
Brightest orb shining the way
through spring and into summer days,
lighting the route through woods and dark days.
Country Nine Patch
The land is quilted with care
by leathered hands guiding the blades of the big red tractor.
An old wood fence ties this patch to the next.
Lilac
Prodigy of spring
sweetly scents
the warming days
Refinement
Brilliant red
butterfly wings
dancing in the breeze.