FAR FROM A SONNET

It seems like forever since I’ve posted here

And taking a break has its advantages

Like crossing off things on the to do list

Events that run into Memorial Day Weekend

And now, hot humid sticky weather

After those scary tornados on Wednesday evening

EXHALE…

The air conditioner is on for three hours already

Outside, the cottonwood has been blowing around again

It seems that my rhythm is off still catching up to May’s runaround

Which leads me back to writing and I think this is good practice

But getting back into the swing of things isn’t as easy as it seems

Fourteen lines, so far from a sonnet and I'm much closer

To the iced tea waiting in the kitchen   

MSW

HARBINGERS OF SPRING

It’s more tempting to be outside these warm days than to be blogging indoors. Spring is full of daffodils and tulips surfacing into the air like underground swimmers that have held their breath too long. Migrating birds are arriving in flocks and I sit outside poised with my binoculars. The wild rabbits have brought their babies out to feed on new grass and there is so much more activity to pay attention to this season.

There is also another harbinger of spring that has had my attention. The black bears, also controlled by the rhythms of nature, slept peacefully through the winter. They are now visiting the neighborhood trash containers. In celebration of spring, they leave confetti from driveway to driveway marking their arrival. Residents, like park workers after the parade, come out each morning to clean up after them. 

WINTER'S DREAM

WINTER’S DREAM

During the night, the cold winter wind

Had me under warm quilted covers

Dreaming of creatures outside

I traveled into the dark woods

Where the trees moved together

And huddled for support

Snow glistened next to wild hooves

And I saw hot breath rise into the pines

That touched the starry heaven

The journey moved me slowly through

Coyote and fox, passing owl eyes

From branches of hollowed out trees

Echoing through the frigid forest dream

Trees whispered that the sleep was over

And the promise of spring was near

This morning I awoke to the sun

Struggling with winter clouds

And searched for inspiration

Through the finest of flurries

A pink glow on the snowy mountains

Appeared like divine revelation

It chased the night’s ice off the page

Making room for early birds

To bring me my sun-filled morning

MSW

THAT'S ENOUGH SNOW, THANK YOU!

WIND-BLOWN FEMALE CARDINAL

We're getting lots of snow here today on top of what fell last night. I hope that's it! Really now!!! Remember: tomorrow is the first day of spring. While it is so picturesque, I’ll be inside today, except to feed the birds. There's a bird feeding frenzy out there and I think I'll run out of food for them soon. I've noticed some Red-winged Blackbirds here the last few days and I'm trying to get some shots of them. I started a photo file to help identify the birds and I hope that I'm getting better in spotting and naming them. If I've identified any of these birds incorrectly, please correct me; I'd appreciate the help.  I'm taking some pictures from my window, where I can keep dry. For those of us that are fortunate enough to be indoors enjoy the view. 

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS

MALE CARDINAL

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD

DOWNY WOODPECKER