Nature

Happy Flowers

“This makes me happy” I say “Yay” comes the response
I carry a pitcher of water outside soaking the large
Full pot of classic cranberry geraniums lavishly overflowing
Tin trough with thick rope handles and drilled drain holes

This is a day I cherish my annual trip to the garden store
Filling my rear hatch no room to spare every inch a burst
Of color crimson coral plum rose white each beauty carefully
Chosen with a preordained place a specific summer spot

Growing and blooming prompts the seasons morning ritual
Early cool shimmering dew sparkling water brilliant days
Puttering pruning breathing sipping sitting appreciating
Serene smile daily send off “This makes me Happy” I say

Billowy Dabs

Surreal white puff clouds float on the cerulean sky
Billowy dabs painted on crystal clear blue yonder
Create suspended snowy cotton balls awakening a
Dreamlike whimsy hypnotic confusion disoriented stares

This sky cannot be real with its fanciful puffiness and
Bogus sky blue hue like a heaven imagined in glorifying
Stories but no, it’s a normal April day full of regular troubles
Like any other workday christened with wondrous beauty

New Leaf’s Dance

Verdant virgin babies form lacy filigree patterns
Newborn leaves bathe in glistening dewy post-partum shades
Avocado, mint, tea green fresh growth hues
Stretching toward warmth, craning toward light

Wonder of the new and fledgling floods senses untested
Ancient course leather peaks through infant veils
Grudgingly awakened bark irritably tolerates fresh buds
Aged crust squelches bloom’s excitement at all that’s new

Cynical antique skin resists and squirms at youth’s glee
Yet, brave youthful promise rejects craggy elderly gloom
Dancing in glimmering beams, absorbing the sun’s tattoo
Nature’s stamp of life and light fuels bantling bliss

Happy Earth Day Tree

Tarzan rope swing, climb four, no five feet
Reach left hand for lowest branch
Swing right leg over branch
Pull with right hand, lift and sit
Gaze at the back yard from perch

Hand on next branch, stand, peruse
Careful prudent feet in blue Keds step
Next branch up, climb to highest branch
Stand tall, 25 feet up, breath deep
Lean against trunk, slide body to sit

Legs hang down, bark against thighs
Sun sinks low, disappears behind house
Gold glow pervades shadows stretch
Lightning bugs (wonderful bioluminescence) appear
Glitter, flash, sparkle, flicker, gleam

Best childhood climbing tree ever
Happy Earth Day

my grand canyon

Amber vermilion ruby copper
Infinite prodigious beauty beckons
Magnetic draw to wonder supreme
Unmatched vastness entices, stuns
Striations reveal endless hues

Coral scarlet gold umber
Sun glints on narrow precipices
The brink invites the brave
A closer look, a peek into the depth
Teal ribbon dizzyingly far below

Khaki orange salmon apricot
Proximity excites, fear grips
The edge repels seduces coaxes
Frozen feet keep their distance
Phobia forges an unapproachable rim

Perkiomen

Valley Forge National Park, Betzwood lot

Back seat duffle, gear overflows

Cleated shoes, helmet, sunglasses, gloves

Hybrid Giant tires pumped

Ready. Garmin set. Go.

Leading, Pedaling. Trailhead north

Thick woods flank long green tunnel

Iron bridge S curve down, down. 3 miles

Perkiomen River, today’s neighbor

Zig-zag of bridges, crossing, crossing over flowing streams

Weaving around kids on tiny bikes, past runners, past chatters

Pace set, rhythm

Steep, steep hill, flying down past rocky creek. 13 miles

Water views, bouldery cliffs, rugged trail, trendy towns, trail-side bike shop

Open field, bridge, woods, another bridge

Hill, Green Lane, halfway, glimmering lake, kayaks, barbeques, fishing poles

Park-bench rest, calories consumed, water gulped, 21 miles

Back on trail, path retraced

12-degree hill, up, up, Walk or ride? 29 miles

Top of hill, recover. Ancient ski lift rumbles, Pedal

Folk Fest stage. Sparkly water. Breath

Parking lot, right turn, bike rack, duffle, 42 miles

Hello New Daisy

Beseeching the sun, elastic silken petals stretching beyond their reach, yearning and grasping for energy and warmth. Elbowing past the un-bloomed buds for every kilowatt of breakfast. Growing gold, golden yellow with each beam ingested. Palm frond green leaves surround and protect the delicate beauties reaching up, up, up. Good morning. Hello new daisy. Welcome.