Gentle morning wakens
Far horizon brightens
Life stirring, yet hidden
Tiny shadow lightens
Leafless sentinels poised
Dignified, yet quiet
Nature’s hungriness growls
Winter’s empty diet
Eager deer stands alone
Daylight now discovers
Prince silently feeding
Thicket grants him cover
Dawn’s light show on display
Warm colors welcome day
Like geese flying above
Dark clouds flutter away
Lone blue heron overhead
Harmony dropping in
Landing on calm waters
Gentle morning’s check-in
Look abroad through Nature’s range, Nature’s mighty law is change.
Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom’s root.
Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He was also known as Rabbie Burns, and he was recognized as the national poet of his native Scotland.
Photo by daniyal ghanavati on Pexels.com
Spring’s foretold migration finally arrives
Chasing away winter’s doldrums at long last
Growing longer, warmer days feeling alive
Returning daily, headliners rejoin cast
With every sunrise tweet, delightful birds sing
Updating winter’s drab wardrobe, trees turn green
Following God’s cue, all creatures here below
Coloring landscape, sweetness paints every scene
Patient gardens blooming, flowers smile again
Waking up from long winter naps, creatures roam
Setting life’s tone, creation’s quiet rhythm
Living in harmony, all feel quite at home
Spring’s joyful feast, nature’s symphony humming
Welcoming fanfare’s savory homecoming
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published April, 2020.
Virgin prairie
Endless grassy sea
Fertile, untouched
Living always free
Nature’s preserve
Blessed grassy sea
Native people
Worship what they see
Gift forever
Treasured grassy sea
Timeless, precious
Mother Earth agrees
Standing knee high
Faithful grassy sea
Glory days sing
Praises fill with glee
Man’s encroachment
Constant grassy sea
Days now numbered
Earth makes her plea
Plowing under
Cherished grassy sea
Another farm
Way of life now flees
Forever gone
Priceless grassy sea
Winds of time change
What should always be
Pockets remain
Endless grassy sea
Memories breathe
Yesterday foresees
In nature nothing exists alone.
But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was an American marine biologist, conservationist, and writer. Many of her writings helped to advance the global environmental movement.
Landscape’s stillness breathes
Each treasure waiting beneath—
Warm, snowy blanket
Faithful rising sun
Drawn in by its reflections—
Brr . . . it’s cold outside!
Eager sentinels
Giants seem absent of life—
Tree buds wait for spring
Autumn’s fading peace
Winter’s renewing lease
One lonely snowflake
More coming at daybreak
Sky fills with more snow
Sunshine, morning’s no-show
Snow’s depth keeps growing
Wind wakes up, now blowing
Light powder sifting
Definitely drifting
Traffic hurries home
Under low-pressure dome
Drivers surrender
With each fender bender
Life’s pace slowing down
Snowstorm parks, all around
Forecast calls for more
Snowplows called out to war
Surfing waves of white
Under wintry twilight
Empty classrooms sleep
Children shall never weep
Nighttime dreams complete
Will tomorrow repeat?
Winter’s timing
Of course, never exact
Latest Arctic blast
Forecast sometimes hijacked
Sunshine shows up
Mirage of comfy time
Wind roars from true north
Car battery’s downtime
Sunset’s curtain
Darkness shrouded in cold
Sky’s icy moonlight
Furnace remote-controlled
Layer of quilts
Pulled from hiding place
Frozen toes thaw out
Warmth flows, cozy embrace
Morning arrives
Winter throws its wild pitch
Freezing air remains
Long-forgotten, spring’s itch
Crystal, clear night sky
Reflecting moonlight’s spotlight—
Postcard’s tranquil dreams
Snowy landscape’s joy
Marked by tiniest hoofprints—
Scene of hope-filled peace
Chilly, early morn
Warming stove works her magic—
Biscuits with honey
All photos courtesy of Pinterest.
One of my favorite places to walk is a short drive from my home. Walnut Woods Metro Park (the Woods) is a special place to find nature’s treasures along its easy to moderate trails. The photographs shown with this poem were taken a few days ago. Enjoy!
Early morning light beckons
Putting on worn hiking shoes
Overcast skies hold back rain
Nature waits with charming views
Driving to a park, the “Woods”
Tranquility always waits
Peace and beauty reaching out
Eager feet, needing no skates
Step by step, walking farther
Park’s vastness, shouting with joy
Around each bend, nature smiles
Many sights and sounds deploy
Morning excursion teases
Birds sing back and forth on cue
Precious blossoms smelling sweet
Coffee can’t top nature’s brew
Time seems to pause with each step
Today’s time comes to an end
Ticket punched for return trip
These “Woods” remain a best friend
Originally published June, 2020.
Big Sky Buckeye 