Periphery — A Poem

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“Sunlight through Zebra Grass” — C.Birde, 8/16

 

Son, sun, and Summer

ease their way toward

absence —

I am well attuned

to the cycle.

And experience

has shown

it appears

far easier to leave

than it feels

to be

left.

 

— C.Birde, 8/16

 

 

Heat — A Poem

 

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“Sequined” — C.Birde, 8/16

 

I wear the heat like fatigue —

a pearled and sequined sheath

that restricts breath and movement,

quells thought,

and drains

creative impulse

steadily

away.

 

— C.Birde, 8/16

 

 

 

 

Native Honeysuckle — Images

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“Lonicera Sempervirens – Native Honeysuckle” — C.Birde, 7/16

 

Planted to tempt hummingbirds,

native honeysuckle climbs and clambers

up over the garden arch,

wriggles amongst the privet,

stretches and tumbles unrestrained

in quest of sunlight.

Scarlet success on all counts.

— C.Birde, 7/16

 

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“Lonicera Sempervirens — Native Honeysuckle Tumble” — C.Birde, 7/16

 

Summer’s Night — A Poem

 

 

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“Summer Night” — C.Birde, 7/16

 

Long has Orion

slipped below the horizon.

The dog stars run loose

over the vast dark sky.

Crickets strum

barbed legs in song.

And I lie awake,

considering

the heat-washed nights

of Summer.

— C.Birde, 7/16

 

 

 

 

Morning Heat — Images

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“Reservoir Haze” — C.Birde, 7/16

Haze thickened air

stretches over morning’s tender hours,

accompanied by the ratchet and whir

of cicada chorus —

promises of heat to come.

— C.Birde, 7/16

 

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“Reservoir Bridge” — C.Birde, 7/16

Casual Gardening — A Poem

The benefits of casual gardening,

detailed in small passages –

 

Mystery squash,

casting tendrils toward the Burning bush,

abloom with ulterior motive.

 

The weed pail

filling,

before the work is done.

 

Rogue tomatoes,

erupting from loamy beds

and window baskets,

pushing aside rhubarb leaves.

 

Fireflies and ladybugs,

and slim-limbed mantises,

and beatific bees.

 

Queen Anne’s lace,

tatting the yard and

adorned in cabbage moths.

 

Patches of shade,

rotating about the house,

cool refuge from the sun’s eye.

 

Leeks’ heads

nodding heavy crowns;

bindweed

twining and trumpeting

 

Lady’s thumbs,

tickling catmint;

Black eyed Susans

studying Swiss chard.

 

The small yard

taking shape under

Nature’s guiding hand.

 

Near-motionless rabbits

nibbling sweet clover;

quick chipmunks

excavating neat holes

beneath tonic lavender;

and everywhere,

everywhere,

the stir and song

of birds.

 

— C.Birde, 7/17

 

 

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“Squash Among the Tomatoes” — C.Birde, 7/16

Wildflower Bouquet — An Image

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“Wildflower Bouquet” — C.Birde, 7/16

Yes. Let’s pause a bit,

and while you bow to inhale

the roses’ breath,

I’ll gather Fennel and Fleabane

and frothing Queen Anne’s Lace

to weave together  —

a Summer Crown

to set upon your brow.

— C.Birde, 7/17