Barberry strawberry cranberry raspberry
Blackberry boysenberry cloudberry mulberry
Bayberry puchiuberry loganberry gooseberry
Berry berry nice!
This uncompromising Sunday
has agreed to let us enjoy
what is left of a boring day
as we ardently seek the brief presence
of a radiant sunset resembling red clay,
attesting the inevitable evidence.
The purple lilacs and pink tulips gently sway,
nobody listens to the crickets' soothing sounds;
early at sunrise they were inundated by big waves
and torrents of unmerciful rain pelting on the bay.
Every Bayberry and Crape Myrtle shrub has fragrant flowers,
they attract Sandpipers, Snowy Plovers and Monarch Butterflies;
they all feast on them, then they take off with incredible swiftness:
while the tranquil and brilliant sea resounds with various shrills.
I spot from far the noisy seagulls landing on the Church's steeple,
scattering the Gray Catbirds huddled on long cable wires that were
listening to the choir of faithful marching out with glowing smiles,
cherishing their last moment of glory under brilliant September's skies.
This uncompromising Sunday
has agreed to let us enjoy
what is left of a boring day
as we ardently seek the brief presence
of a radiant sunset resembling red clay,
attesting the inevitable evidence.
The purple lilacs and pink tulips gently sway,
nobody listens to the crickets' soothing sounds;
early at sunrise they were inundated by big waves
and torrents of unmerciful rain pelting on the bay.
Every Bayberry and Crape Myrtle shrub has fragrant flowers,
they attract Sandpipers, Snowy Plovers and Monarch Butterflies;
they all feast on them, then they take off with incredible swiftness:
while the tranquil and brilliant sea resounds with various shrills.
I spot from far the noisy seagulls landing on the Church's steeple,
scattering the Gray Catbirds huddled on long cable wires that were
listening to the choir of faithful marching out with glowing smiles,
cherishing their last moment of glory under brilliant September's skies.
Within the oak tree, I have settled here
Whilst aureate sun peeks between the leaves.
My chirping song is heard roosting from top;
Can you see me; beguiling is the day.
Inherent nature's rhyme, a placid scene.
Winter has passed its chilling visit.
Spring with twelve hours daylight, nights my shortest.
I am three years old with reddish-orange breast,
Unbound and quintessential of them all.
Tugging squirmy earthworms out of the ground.
Cherubic is the flanking mockingbird
Has alone flown away now is silent.
I rule the passing hours of night and day.
Good-bye, good-bye the fiddle months last flit.
Summer nearly done, Autumn outburst late
With fruit bayberry, cherry, pyracanth;
Around the lattice to set pudgy grapes
Budding flowers for fructifying bees.
Lingering on a branch plume with winter
First snow my wings are spread quickly, fly off.
A glow of warmth I bring on winter's day!
1/27/2023
Winter is not Forever Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: BJ Legros Kelley
Spring is imminent,
but the salt marshes
are not aware, for
the air is cold and drear.
Patchwork of tan and gray
stretches toward the sea,
cattails and reeds bend east
in a still chilly wind.
Bayberry and rosa rugosa,
blackened as if by fire,
huddle together, backdrop
for frost bitten sedges
decorated here and there
with shiny spills, silver pools
left by the last high tide,
reflecting the emptiness
of a white winter light.
And still the marshes sleep,
waiting for a length of days
warmed by a stronger sun
to stir them from their long nap,
for juices to flow into
stiff, arthritic stems,
for leaves to branch out,
filling the marshes again
with a hundred shades of green
and buds of latent flowers.
Once again the process begins,
The unending work of rebirth.
Within the oak tree, I have settled here
Whilst aureate sun peeks between the leaves.
My chirping song is heard roosting from top;
Can you see me; beguiling is the day.
Inherent nature's rhyme, a placid scene.
Spring with twelve hours daylight, nights my shortest.
I am six years old with reddish-orange breast,
Unbound and quintessential of them all.
Tugging squirmy earthworms out of the ground.
Cherubic is the flanking mockingbird
Has alone flown away now is silent.
I rule the passing hours of night and day.
Good-bye, good-bye the fiddle months last flit.
Summer nearly done, Autumn outburst late
With fruit bayberry, cherry, pyracanth;
Around the lattice to set pudgy grapes
Budding flowers for fructifying bees.
Lingering on a branch plume with winter
First snow my wings are spread quickly, fly off.
A glow of warmth I bring on winter's day!
7/25/2020
I am a Robin
142 words
When I think of the bygone Christmas
images that come to my mind are
candy canes, cookies and popcorn strands
adorning the Christmas tree.
The popcorn strands are easier to make
and still, I think,it's a family project.
I know, decorating with cookies difficult
but feel their homey feel with cookie cutters
which can be napkin rings for the table
Hear the sleigh bells ring
creating the quintessential Christmas melody
hang a strap of sleigh bells on your front door
warm sounds, a great greetings for the guests.
but the best sound is children’s laughter
and the squeals of glee, as the presents opened.
Think of the toys that simple things
you might have played with a child
like a jack-in-box or spinning circus top.
Spices, bayberry and baked things
are all scents that evoke the holidays.
Choose the Christmas décor that appeals
not only to eyes but to the nose and ears,
drape fir branches tied with a red bow above the door.
+++
November 29, 2014
Form: Free Verse
First Place win
Sight, Sound and Scent
When I think of the bygone Christmas
Images that come to my mind are
Candy canes, cookies and popcorn strands
Adorning the Christmas tree.
The popcorn strands are easier to make
And still, I think, a family project.
I know, decorating with cookies difficult
But feel their homey feel with cookie cutters
Which can be napkin rings for the table
Hear the sleigh bells ring
Creating the quintessential Christmas melody
Hang a strap of sleigh bells on your front door
Warm sounds a great greeting for the guests.
But the best sound is children’s laughter
And the squeals of glee, as the presents opened
Think of the toys that simple things
You might have played with a child
Like a jack-in-box or spinning circus top.
Spices, bayberry and baked things,
Are all scents that evoke the holidays
Choose the Christmas décor that appeals
Not only to eyes but to the nose and ears
Drape fir branches tied with a red bow above the door.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 12-17-13
Form: Free Verse
Third place win
Contest: A Child's Christmas by Shadow Hamilton
When out on the lawn green grass grew everywhere,
I knew in a moment that no snowman was there.
No child in the town would see a white Christmas.
The ice in the rink arrived man-made and fogless.
Excited boisterous children laughed and slip-slid around.
Rip-roarious the winter wonders in a warm southern town.
What fantastic fantasies fill malls in Florida winters?
Opulent brilliance, colorful lights bedecked and blinkers.
Noble elves work inside at each new on site workshop.
Delightfully watching children gleam with eyes all lit up.
Exceptional imaginations and a warm winter show.
Reality slips into fantasy as cherry faces start to glow.
Love in the air mingles with scents of bayberry.
Adults all around adorning, become merry.
Not one child misses winter in their Florida town.
Dependably on time, Santa always comes around.
© December 24, 2011
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