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Kruse Rhodendendron Reserve

When fire raged and burned it's roof, sun rays fell to forest floor, And lit upon scraggly flowers once doomed to bloom no more. Then unharnessed, like wild horses, the shrubs began to fight. Each year they grew and blossomed, thanking sunshine for it's light. The rains in spring brought forth rhodendendron's chromatic reds, Near Redwood towering trunks 'bove where squirrels make their beds. The rhodendendrons meander like hikers in the hills, To startle round forest corners with blossoming pink thrills. Kruse Rhodendendron State Natural Reserve is a park, A California treasure, a pleasant trip to embark. While hiking beneath the Redwood trees' scented canopy, Enjoy this gift of land, enjoy the flowers wild and free.

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Suzanne Delaney

Date: 8/28/2024 5:52:00 PM

I can picture the blooms. We have them in the Blue Ridge mountains too. The flowers seem to float in all different shades.Just gorgeous. SuZ

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 9/1/2024 11:30:00 PM

Thank you for your comment. Rhodendendrons are beautiful. I've heard some people say they like the lawn planted ones that are larger and fertilized, but the free growing ones do actually appear to be wild. They struggle.

Jan Allison

Date: 7/26/2024 4:44:00 PM

what a fabulous poem Hilda, its amazing how resilient mother nature is - sounds a joy to visit and i would love to see giant red wood trees for real:-) hugs Jan xx

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 8/14/2024 8:54:00 AM

The trees are majestic. You'll enjoy the trip.

David Crandall

Date: 7/5/2024 11:01:00 PM

Sounds nice, I wonder if my brother in Santa Rosa has been there.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 7/25/2024 7:33:00 PM

It is close enough to Santa Rosa to drive in a few hours. He'd enjoy it.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/11/2024 5:25:00 PM

I wish I thought to explore when I lived in Northern California for a couple years, but life was busy and sometimes difficult and I had a little one. We did drive to Lake Tahoe and San Francisco.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 6/11/2024 6:44:00 PM

A place I missed was Hearst Castle. I've heard it is unbelievable. Thank you for reading my poem.

Jim Slaughter

Date: 6/9/2024 10:06:00 AM

One of my deepest regrets about my time living in California is that I never got or took the opportunity to take a trip to see the redwoods in all their glory. This poem is a lovely reminder.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 6/11/2024 5:25:00 PM

Same for me Jim.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 6/9/2024 10:23:00 AM

Thank you for your comment. I lived pretty much among the redwood, and had one outside my window. I hope they survive .

Tonye George

Date: 6/2/2024 11:21:00 AM

Sounds fun, a place I'd love to pace around freely. "Each year they grew and blossomed, thanking sunshine for it's light." There are lots of things we should thank sunlight for. Cheers Hilda.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 6/4/2024 6:16:00 PM

I enjoyed the hike under the trees. Thank you for reading my poem.

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 5/29/2024 4:02:00 PM

i really enjoyed reading this vivid and beautiful poem; rhododendrons hold a special place in my heart..

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/29/2024 4:50:00 PM

I'm glad you like the poem. The rhodendendrons are beautiful. They seem demure.

Daniel Caplin

Date: 5/28/2024 8:14:00 AM

Hi Hilda What a beautiful poem , sounds like a magical place to visit , under the scented canopy of the redwood. Danny

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/28/2024 10:41:00 AM

Thank you. If I can continue my travels, more poems will emerge.

Paige Hind

Date: 5/27/2024 4:45:00 PM

Gorgeous imagery, Hilda. <3 Makes me want to see it- :) Loved the "flowery' flow of your poem!

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/28/2024 10:40:00 AM

Thank you very much. I hope you get to see it.

Sally Eslinger

Date: 5/27/2024 8:15:00 AM

How Splendid this is! How dearly we hold our state parks in KY where Daniel Boone settled…And we too fear the yearly fire season. Your magery is spectaculy worded.at very end,should be trees’, not tree’s, do note as u should sell or gift this to that state park tourist dept possible for their PR. I long to see this park.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/27/2024 10:09:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by. I fixed the apostrophe. Year's ago, I had perfect grammar. Writing poetry is bringing it back. Advice is welcome. I'm famous for it myself.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/26/2024 9:16:00 PM

Your lovely portrayal of the rhododendrons has me planning my first trip to Kruse Reserve! Exciting! Thanks, gw

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/26/2024 9:43:00 PM

Go when they bloom. April to early June. Thank you.

Joseph May

Date: 5/26/2024 6:23:00 PM

I like the beautiful scenes you depict, Sounds like a great place, Very nicely penned

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/26/2024 7:19:00 PM

Thank you. Best wishes to you.

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 5/25/2024 2:02:00 PM

What a beautiful picture you painted of nature at its best, my friend. Nicely put. Wishing you a fabulous weekend, my friend.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/25/2024 2:27:00 PM

Thank you. I appreciate your encouragement.

Valsa George

Date: 5/25/2024 5:33:00 AM

I have heard that California is a place rich in gigantic trees. From your descriptions, I assume that the Rhododendron Reserve is a beautiful park where one can hike beneath redwood's scented canopy. The rhododendron with pink blossoms must be a feast to the eyes. A beautiful poem, Hilda.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/25/2024 7:33:00 AM

Thank you. I did enjoy the beautiful flowers and cool air under the trees.

Joe Dimino

Date: 5/25/2024 5:28:00 AM

Indeed, enjoy nature, being one -- no drama in cities that is not reenacted in a forest canopy as well as its shadowy, mysterious plotting depths. Perhaps more honesty. A sprinkle of sunlight blooms a long way.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/25/2024 7:32:00 AM

Well said. Enjoy a beautiful, hopefully flower-filled, weekend.

Ink Empress

Date: 5/25/2024 3:24:00 AM

Dear hilda, this sounds like a very special and beautiful place to be and visit! Its a very welcoming and picturesque poem that flows with such excellent rhymes and imagery painted in a very heartfelt manner! I can feel the love and admiration you have for this place and your poem really is captivating! I love the opening lines the most so stunning! And artistic! Always a pleasure reading your work! Sending you light always!

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/25/2024 7:30:00 AM

I believe that the greatest fans of flowers are the lousy gardeners. Perhaps that is why I write about them. Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy the spring days.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 5/25/2024 1:44:00 AM

Fantastic nature poem. Glad to see it recover even when it is demolished by fire or human vandalism.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/25/2024 7:27:00 AM

Evidently, I like nature because I seem to be writing about it quite often. Nature is a good place to go in order to find peace. I'm glad you like this one. Thanks.

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 5/24/2024 8:53:00 PM

Hilda, your fantastic poem certainly evokes thoughts on nature's resilience, toughness and beauty. I enjoyed it very much. :)

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/24/2024 10:04:00 PM

Thank you. I'm happy you found it interesting. Enjoy .

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 5/24/2024 9:57:00 AM

I enjoyed reading your lovely/wonderful write. Sounds like a beautiful place. The last place I lived, I had rhododendrons. I really enjoyed their color. Have a blessed day/weekend.....................

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/24/2024 6:21:00 PM

Thank you, Paula. It sounds like you are a gardener. I don't have much luck with gardening.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 5/24/2024 6:44:00 AM

Dear Hilda, What a delightful ode to the resilience and beauty of nature. An evocative write that easily captures the essence of the reserve's charm and allure. Your words transport me, the reader, to this scenic park, where the rhododendrons bloom in vibrant hues amidst the towering Redwood trees. It is a very lovely piece—it's a true celebration of California's natural treasures. - Blessings, Daniel

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/24/2024 6:49:00 AM

This is my second California park poem. The other highlights it in Pika. Thank you for your encouraging comments.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/24/2024 5:07:00 AM

Much enjoyed the walk in nature, through your splendid descriptions, Hilda. So much beauty nature bestows--as you delightfully convey in this poem. Parks are treasures to behold.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/24/2024 6:44:00 AM

Yes, parks are wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 5/24/2024 2:23:00 AM

- I love my rhododendrons, Hilda ... (I have ten different ones in my garden, and they are blooming now) - But they don't grow wild here in Norway - Glad they grew back after the fire ... they are a beautiful sight :) - hugs

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/24/2024 6:43:00 AM

Domestic rhodendendrons may have bigger flowers. That's what I've heard. But in the wild, they almost seem to be communicating.. thanks for visiting.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/23/2024 8:15:00 PM

With all our forest fires in BC, we are witnessing nature’s recovery. It really is amazing his resilient it is. I enjoyed your poem.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/23/2024 8:38:00 PM

Thank you. I found the park very peaceful. My poem almost sounds like an advertisement, but it's just a memory.

Sotto Poet

Date: 5/23/2024 6:39:00 PM

You have effectively depicted the distinctive allure of the nature stash, together with its essence. Excellent execution of a flowing rhyming pattern. The resilience of nature is incredible since it has a unique ability to regenerate itself even in the aftermath of a fire.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/23/2024 7:01:00 PM

Thank you for your support. I'm glad you liked this poem. Nature creates the poems I write.