without rainstorm wilts
leaves of lantana shrivel
and the buds close up
I was told it’s the weather
uplift when grandson waters
I sit and watch at the end of the day
Hummingbird moths in their silent ballet
On fiery blossoms, they flit to and fro
Among lantana in the evening glow
Reminding me of how I long to be
A kindred spirit, fearless and free
But alas, I lack the grace and the wings
The courage and wisdom and all the other things.
Lantana, Lantana! It’s that time of year.
Old winter is waning, and springtime is near.
Lantana, Lantana! It’s that time, you know.
I must cut you back now before you can grow.
You fight and resist me and scratch at my skin.
But if you will bear with me, we’re both going to win.
It feels just like murder to cut to the roots,
But soon you’ll be growing and sprouting fresh shoots.
They say that it’s hunger that makes the best sauce,
And gains are more certain right after a loss.
See, I’m getting hungry; I won’t pull your leg,
Seems I’ve got a craving for your ham and eggs!
The hummingbirds love you, the butterflies swarm;
They come for that nectar delicious and warm.
I hope you won’t hate me or wail or lament,
‘Cuz before you know it, we’ll bask in that scent.
It’s all for God’s glory, it’s all for his sake.
Yes, springtime is coming; there’s breakfast to make!
Caren, whose poetry sings with grand plumage,
swims with bouquets of flowers and such. You
inspire me! And aloha to William :)
HAWAII
Bird of paradise, plumeria, jasmine,
orchids, gardenia, hibiscus, primrose.
Aloha sea — paradise welcomes thee.
Cup of gold, elephant’s ear, fuchsia and firecrackers.
Lantana, glory bush, pineapple and Waikiki.
Queen Emma lily, prickly pear, silversword and sugarcane.
Hawaii islands erupting with ecstasies —
scents that rise the temperature, hues that squeal with desire,
cascading sounds of God’s mirth, adventure on steroids.
Come in, ebb and flow in dugout boats - leis floating
upon the deep-blue skies. Your hearts are pounding drums.
Don’t be shy. Grab this shelf of paradise. Don’t let go.
Aloha friends! Let’s all be friends. Planes fly in.
Koa, coconut, ‘ohi’ a lehua, candlenut, monkeypod,
noni, and lemon-scented gum. Mahalo nui!*
O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Big, Lana’i and Moloka’i —
find your serenity, your northern shore, the allure
of life. Grab yourself a blue hawaii, piña colada,
mai tai, mimosa. Fill your cups with Eden’s fruit.
8/19/2020
*thank you very much ma-hah-lo-noo-ee)
"Lantana"
Beans grown
in a belly
planted they bloom
through crimson
they arrive
trying to weed
the prickly parent purple
Lantana out
The future is
bright and shiny
just like a new penny
that was held in the hands
of pappy and mammy
But they know better
like no dog was ever a pup
or walked on a leash before
Entitled impunity
endorphins win out
Beans grown
in a belly
planted they bloom
trying to weed
the prickly parent purple
Lantana out
Entitled impunity
endorphins win
grinning
Serious insects
and Rust
kill the analgesic
the prickly parent purple
Lantana turns
the child
entitled
Inside
Out
(LadyLabyrinth / 2020)
“Everything You’ve Ever Learned” / Jack White
https://youtu.be/ruYd9n008RM
“Why Walk a Dog” / Jack White
https://youtu.be/1ZQiwUQldTM
"the interloper spreads its monstrous weeds
o’er what you cherished
now strangled, blighted and smothered
by a false mother,
overgrown..."
Looking at the backyard down through a window
Brought a smile on my lips watching the scene below
A squirrel was sniffing around some bushes
Another one was scurrying up and down on oak tree branches
A humming bird was drinking nectar from lantana flowers
A purple colored dragonfly was hovering around purple blossoms of crape myrtle
Pairs of house finches were chirping loudly in great excitement
A nuthatch and a titmouse also joined the melody with their own distinctiveness
A thought came to my mind of mindfulness
Isn’t it just taking time to observe the present moment with awareness?
Lantana blossoms beautify hedge-fortress
Radiant colors relieve distress
Pink and red pink of varied hues
With yellow sun’s cues
Brightly show
God’s bliss!
Flowers blow
Oozing sweet fragrance
Celestial scent’s endurance
Refreshing Summer midst glowing heat
Along hope’s steadfast* light, pests attempt to beat.
*1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
June 28, 2019
3rd place, "Writing Challenge 2, June 2019- A Summer Flower" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Dear Heart; judged on 7/7/2019.
Delta breeze brought relief from scorching summer temperatures
Night’s cool vapors dropped morning dew on the terrace furniture
Refreshing nippiness embraced me when I opened the patio entrance
Brought a big smile to my lips when I went outside with a hot morning teacup
Birds were awake making the atmosphere harmonious with their melodies
A sweet momma was busy feeding her chick remnants from the bird feed
Saw a watchful deer standing tall away from the fence in thick bushes
Keeping an eye on her skipping innocent fawn wandering around in nearby thicket
A humming bird was drinking nectar from lusciously smelling Star Jasmines
Few bees were buzzing around savoring reddish-yellow Lantana flower treats
Wind chimes were serenading with their charmingly calming vibrant tunes
Active background lawn mowers were making their usual bustling sounds
A familiar squirrel paid visit to eat sunflower seeds from the hanging bird feeder
Amazed me with her smartness of various tricks to reach to it without a ladder
I sat down with my laptop with my heart filled with Mother Nature’s humble sweetness
Words started coming while I typed and turned into a poem of thankfulness
Daffodil dimples
Crape myrtle blooms form
the entrance now leading
Into the garden of
dreams that we share
Rose buds and hyacinths
tickle our senses
Blending their fragrance
so sweet with the air
Lantana flowers in
yellows of lemon
Paint summer sunrises
along the wall
Hibiscus petals are
raining so softly
Before our eyes as
their beauty does fall
Daffodil dimples now
show as they're smiling
Watching the two of us
greeting the day
Now hand in hand
as we wander this garden
So much in love
midst this wondrous display
Good morning Soupers
Hibiscus sunrise
Summer breezes surround me,
sifting on the glowing rays
beyond the heather hedge,
walking barefoot,
senses fly,
lemonade the tint…
born upon this early morning sky
Lantana lullabies,
still a faint offering,
relinquish me of moon fed destinies,
setting me free once more
in the golden sheen of a pristine
hibiscus sunrise
Soft, a haze does find me
in a sphere of intoxicated dreams
swirling about this blue canopy,
this euphoric frame bordering
the tapestries of nature’s happiness
On this day wings sprout,
gossamer in saffron flow
from shoulders soft and bliss divine,
perfect of a vision I do long
to harbor near
For in my eyes again
reflects your beauty
and I touch you…
Your smile finds my heart
as I breath in the majesty of my desires,
thanking the heavens once more
for my blessings
Good morning Soupers
Hibiscus Sunrise
Fragrant breezes surround me,
sifting on the glowing rays
beyond the heather hedge,
walking barefoot,
senses fly,
lemonade the tint…
born upon this early morning sky
Lantana lullabies,
still a faint offering,
relinquish me of moon fed destinies,
setting me free once more
in the golden sheen of a pristine
hibiscus sunrise
Soft, a haze does find me
in a sphere of intoxicated dreams
swirling about this blue canopy,
this euphoric frame bordering
the tapestries of nature’s happiness
On this day wings sprout,
gossamer in saffron flow
from shoulders soft and bliss divine,
perfect of a vision I do long
to harbor near
For in my eyes again
reflects your beauty
and I touch you…
as I breath in the majesty of my desires,
thanking the heavens once more
for my morning blessings
Good morning Soupers
Only one scar, from a kid in Montana.
His mom had him placed in a field of lantana.
The kid was still smiling as smoke from his vest
plumed when the bullet slammed through his chest.
With a split second draw as smooth as fresh cream,
another man falls just short of his dream.
He doesn't pull quicker to take the man's life
but to save the man years of a gunslinger's strife.
A welter of faces has challenged his game
but the soles of their boots all look the same.
The fame he once sought now plagues him in curse;
too many men he's lain in the hearse.
One day soon he'll give a slight pause
and a younger gunslinger will take up the cause.
They'll come for him too, from the east to the west
and he too in mercy, will lay them yo rest.
Black and white butterfly a rare single sighting
Idealized image caught upon film
Beautiful bounding insect drinking nectar
Against such colorful contrast of orange Lantana
A wonderful shot snapped in a twinkle of the eye
Photo snapped by a trained eye and skilled cameraman
A picturesque scene to last a lifetime
Amazing photography work hangs upon the museum wall
The butterfly flits about
Tasting each sweet nectar
Never remaining in one place
Reminder of the spectra
Black and white a beautiful sight
Mixed colors like choices
First on roses then foxglove's blooms
Silent is their voices
Orange Lantana is not special
This butterfly is fickle
Wanting faithfulness receiving
Dishonesty's prickles
The Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly kissed the Lantana
Light its flight carried by the wind lands 'pon my bandana
No nourishment but the butterfly lingers
Gently the Swallowtail flies to land 'pon the Purple Flock
Drinks nectar from the honeyed bloom then touches 'pon windsock
Off in flight comes once again lands 'pon my fingers
Sponsor: Gail Doyle
Contest: Butterfly Kisses
Rhyming couplets in a form of poulter's measure
With a interlocking tail rhyme
Bullfrogs greeted dusk.
Evening clouds cooled the heat waves.
Gathering for night,
Zebra longwings butterflies,
Rested near a moonlit pond.
Gardenia fragrance
Permeated summer air
Contradicting lantana.
Butterflies fluttered.
Drinking their nectar of choice.
Love was also there.
Drifting through eternal dreams.
Uplifting memories…us.
Forever with me.
Reflections upon my life,
Made more beautiful by you.
ã June 2, 2012
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Lets Pass A Tanka Love Note
Sponsor ^Rick Parise
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