The days I counted, that far outnumbered,
this life I led as the seasons changed
A passing moment beneath a mirror,
of boxwood hedges I'd rearrange
These hours floated, now undefeated,
for everywhere was a landing zone
The many people, some friends and colleagues,
could not defend minutes left alone
I'm not complaining or wishing better,
I look around at the world I grew
From first day worries to final blessings,
old routes I took that somehow are new
There is a reason, I've always pondered,
with thoughts of love and those in my wake
To hope for smiles and lines remembered,
of steps and paths, I would tend to take
So now we hurry with slower paces,
the end is near and the date has come
A lowered pencil on reems of paper
and final words that that will sit undone
I whisper thank you to all who read this,
your dreams are waiting, now don't be slow
For, the days I counted, are far outnumbered,
I bid farewell, it is time to go
Thank you everyone
The days I counted, that far outnumbered,
this life I led as the seasons changed
A passing moment beneath a mirror,
of boxwood hedges I'd rearrange
These hours floated, now undefeated,
for everywhere was a landing zone
The many people, some friends and colleagues,
could not defend minutes left alone
I'm not complaining or wishing better,
I look around at the world I grew
From first day worries to final blessings,
old routes I took that somehow are new
There is a reason, I've always pondered,
with thoughts of love and those in my wake
To hope for smiles and lines remembered,
of steps and paths, I would tend to take
So now we hurry with slower paces,
the end is near and the date has come
A lowered pencil on reems of paper
and final words that that will sit undone
I whisper thank you to all who read this,
your dreams are waiting, now don't be slow
For, the days I counted, are far outnumbered,
I bid farewell, it is time to go
Thank you everyone
The King’s chest of treasure lay bare
Devasted by the cruel jealousies
Of the madness of commoner’s warfare
For dominance in power heresies.
But, finally God’s glory was restored
And all the former graces and strength came in
On fluttering wings the Holy Ghost bestowed
The wealth and riches of heaven carried back within
In an afternoon of providence’s reconstruction
In the perfumed mist of apple blossoms
And Italian boxwood topiary structures.
The angels were its witness with tearing eyes
They started singing Glorias and Hallelujahs
Night of fog , mostly in Winter:
Hazy misty smog to enter.
Boxwood hedge hides shy snow drops.
Birch with ivory-white bark
thawed heart of dark foggy night.
Dull pale smoky sky.
Doric columns supported the xyst
with ancestral plane trees and boxwood
lining the spaces between and whispering
the secrets of ancient polished stone.
The promenade led to the gymnasium
where zealous athletes of strength and valor
practiced their regiment for the Games
to earn enhanced esteem and station.
So compelling now to amble and hear
their eager, raised voices of so long ago,
echoing through the walled garden
if one remains silent, and listens.
WINTER
Winter showing snowy splendor
elating elegant whiteness
in calm cold and chilly wonder.
Silvery snow shines to impress.
Chilled cold breeze blowing much no less.
Snow falling as droplets of rain.
Sledges slide on slippery snow.
Snow caps on sky kissing mountain.
Placid sky holds Sun in pale glow
White panorama to follow.
Birch displays ivory white bark
Boxwood hedges hide shy snowdrops
Nesting success by bird sky lark.
Snow flakes slipping on most roof tops.
Frosty waves hitting winter crops.
12/31/21
Winter Snow
Sunrays dazzling shining on winter snow
Snow-white is a special color to glow
Snowcaps on mountain tops.
Boxwood hedge hides snow drops
Snowflakes display splendid silvery show.
12/30/2020
'Winter Snow' Contest by Tania Kitchin.
WINTER ENTERS
Winter showing snowy splendor
elating elegant whiteness
in calm cold and chilly wonder.
Snow falling as droplets of rain.
Sledges slide on slippery snow.
Snowcaps on sky-kissing mountain.
Placid sky holds Sun in pale glow
Snow-white passive panorama
Sunrays shine on silvery snow.
Birch displays ivory-white bark
Boxwood hedges hide shy snowdrops
Nesting success by bird sky lark.
Chrysanthemums: Winter glory
Also, Dahlias and snowflakes.
Frosty weather is Winter’s story.
Santa Clause, glad about reindeer.
Thawing heart of barren winter,
for little warmth come close My Dear.
12/20/20
'Winter' Contest by Emile Pinet
Spleen
by Paul Verlaine
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
The roses were so very red;
The ivy, impossibly black.
Dear, with a mere a turn of your head,
My despair’s flooded back!
The sky was too gentle, too blue;
The sea, far too windswept and green.
Yet I always imagined?or knew?
I’d again feel your spleen.
Now I'm tired of the glossy waxed holly,
Of the shimmering boxwood too,
Of the meadowland’s endless folly,
When all things, alas, lead to you!
Paul-Marie Verlaine (1844-1896) was a French poet and a prominent figure in the Symbolist and Decadent poetry movements. Verlaine has been called "one of the most purely lyrical of French poets." Keywords/Tags: Verlaine, French, translation, Paris, spleen, rose, roses, ivy, depression, despair, sky, sea, blue, green, red, black, holly, boxwood
blossoms
of
snowdrops
flood forth,
stormblown
woods
and
moors
from
morn
to
noon
cool
brooks
pools
&ponds
knolls
of cottonwood,
boxwood
bowwood
dogwood
lots
of logs
block
on
block
box
on box
row
on
row
Winter Dodoitsu
Boxwood hedge hides shy snow drops.
Birch with ivory-white bark
thawed heart of barren winter.
Little warmth, My Dear !
11/09/15
Contest Winter Dodoitsu
4th place
Contest NO. 261 by Brian Strand
Butterfly Kisses
I am here strolling in the cool wood
as I take a seat drinking in nature
I espy some movement in the boxwood
going over to look I see a feeler
There to my delight by chance
is a cocoon starting to open
slowly bit by bit does emerge
a colourful butterfly all golden
It spreads it wings to dry
gently flaps them with grace
then it hoovers ready to fly
now it lands on my face
I can see two what bliss
as I squint, it will depart
with a gentle kiss
It flys off taking my heart
contest: Butterfly Kisses written 06/14/2013
The Garden
Roses and violets grow wild yet tamed in raised gardens
English boxwood and laurel line the white gravel footpath
Butterflies and bees float and buzz around a thousand flowers
Their sounds melding with the soft footsteps of visitors
Walking through this world every sense is awakened and teased
But, could the mind take in all the sights, smells and sounds surrounding it?
The smell of mints wafting through the breezes is easy to notice
However, the mild sweetness of the zinnia and snapdragons will not be ignored
The sounds of a distant fountain echo off distant walls
Walls that have held a dozen generations of grape vines and ivy
Hummingbirds dart wildly around looking for their favorite nectar
Other birds just sit on the walls and watch what is happening
Life stays the same within the isolated ecosystem
Days, weeks, months, years or decades – none of it matter
It is Nature’s canvas to do with as she wishes
Her canvas, her palette, her paint and her brushes
That garden is her artwork to enjoy and wonder at for all time
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