A blade of grass is the journeywork of the stars.
The poet judges not as judge judges but as the sun falling around a helpless thing.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was one of America’s most influential poets. His writing prowess was not only evident in his poems, but also in his work as a journalist and essayist.
Autumn’s fading pulse
Winter’s joy arrives
Bearing gifts from darkness
Morning’s sky alive
Welcome transition
Wood stove’s warmth alive
Sharing gifts from darkness
Morning’s peace high-five
Clearest eastern sky
Alarm clock shows five
Yielding gifts from darkness
Morning’s grace now thrives
Crisp winter sunrise
Treasured light now thrives
Raising gifts from darkness
Morning’s spirit drives
Clouds moving away
Distant light shall drive
Bearing gifts from darkness
Morning’s breath survives
Winter’s white blanket covers frozen land
Sheltering nature’s glory until spring
Arctic-fed winds seem to blow from glaciers
Sleeping quietly, life conceals its zing
Northernmost Great Lakes transform skies to gray
Flying above, geese enjoy winter’s fling
Small ponds reflect from thick, icy mirrors
Pausing all around, boldness waits for spring
Ancient trees appear to wait in repose
Ignoring life’s deep freeze, buds holding out
Nature’s winter rest, preparing for spring
Arriving tonight, snowstorm’s final shout
Never to worry, winter fades away
Coming on schedule, spring colors each day
Originally published January, 2021.
Gray sky flies overhead
Winter’s cold arrives
Autumn now asleep
Chilling nature’s hard drive
Spirit fills every tree
Spring postpones her speech
Peace lands with each flake
Covering whitest beach
Silence rejoins landscape
Yet, very much alive
Transfusion hidden
Feeding grace to survive
Arctic freeze now coming
Double seal each hatch
Ship awaits next storm
Traversing icy patch
Night’s dreams seeking comfort
Winter’s frost deploys
Hope’s blanket of snow
Snuggling beneath warmth’s joy
Raking piles of leaves
Trees now empty of color—
Autumn’s leftovers
Morning’s icy breath
Winter playing hide ‘n seek—
Goodbye autumn friend
Lonely tree branches
Always full of memories—
Final leaf falling
Mystery ahead
Shadows can’t hide
Each spirit drinks deeply
Endless dreams collide
Pathway of echoes
These woods speak out
Tomorrow surrenders
Darkened voices sprout
Moonlight’s reflections
Mirrors of light
Backwoods’ invitation
Shared from nature’s birthright
Night’s melody plays
Whispers gift-wrapped
Each note of harmony
Composed to adapt
Mystery now found
Morn’s grateful dawn
Spirits return to sleep
Dreams wait to be drawn
Evening’s darkness deepens
Silence now awakens
Nature never rests
While daylight feels forsaken
Gentle spirit’s exhale
Dreams stand ready to climb
Day now forgotten
Headlines swallowed up in time
Starlight scatters its dust
World seemingly asleep
Patience to unfold
Caught up in submerging deep
Harmony’s dawn rises
New day set to embrace
Morning shares goodness
Propelled by bountiful grace
Backroad’s autumn drive
Invigorating colors—
Endless leaves’ parade
Farmer’s pumpkin patch
Invitation to pick some—
Harvest of orange
Quilted with color
Warmest blanket nearly done—
Each cascading leaf
Dawn’s inspiration
Creator’s masterful truth—
Every unique breath
Beloved contrast
Landscape’s eternal bloodstream—
Ancient, yet unborn
Boundless spirit thrives
Tiniest ember of life—
Tomorrow wakens
Morning’s gifted sunrise
Destiny of new day
Creator’s journey
Balance in life’s ballet
Nature’s comforting hand
Nurturing, rhythmic pace
Creator’s presence
Everything in its place
Seasons change, one by one
Yet, harmony remains
Creator’s patience
Trust in heavenly reign
River’s endless spirit
Mountains standing above
Creator’s landscape
Treasured delights of love
Every generation
Unique in its domain
Creator’s splendor
Lifetime of sweetest grain
Gentle breeze turns life’s page
Tenderness breathes from heart
Creator’s passion
Setting sun now departs
Big Sky Buckeye 