Each new limb begins as a sparkler in green.
The pine celebrates its own independence day.
White Flame
Amidst all the green
a single white flame flickers
lighting the path.
Direction
Walk the soft path
in the cool water.
It is purpose enough.
Buttercup
Shinning yellow
beacon of summer
buttercup is a kiss from the sun
Meadow
The colors of summer
call out from the meadow
come play with us today.
Herringbone
A harmony of light and dark,
the forest floor wears herringbone.
After the Dance
Only during the solstice
is the veil between the worlds thin enough to see
where fairies hang their dancing shoes.
Lady Slippers
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.