Silvan black
Come the grackles
Shimmering blue streaks
Darting toward the sound
Of bird song glee
Bullies
In Zorro garb
Storm the bird feeder
Black darts
Flung at swaying targets
Challenging
The squirrels reign.
Sparrows
Root for the stalking cat
To strike
Leap high
A streak of red
Upon the sylvan black
Categories:
silvan, bird, nature,
Form: Free verse
under a broad sign “Silvan Reservoir Park”
I turn the steering wheel and see wristwatch hands
pointing to a quarter past three in the afternoon
there is enough time for tea and biscuits by the dam
before sunset slowly erases
colours from the Dandenong Ranges
I suppose this is where I crush autumn leaves
(some red and some green)
quite crisply and cleanly
on the base of my leather-strap boots
and I step onto the warm silvan lawn
over small yellow patches
where sunlight burnt holes in the grass
“lay the blanket down there”
where words have not been uttered
in several decades
this is where I learnt to play catch
by the force of a hard red cricket ball
on nervous, shaking hands
I hope to hold onto one today
listen to the wind rustle the trees
and that cyclical rhythm
oo-oo-aa-aa-aa
when kookaburras laugh
as if to say “I see you, dear”
and what I say
when the clock is well past three
and colours are erased
and the woods are not familiar to me
is that here in Autumn
is heaven on earth
Categories:
silvan, nature,
Form: Free verse
Historical Nature Preserve
There is an ancient resort at the wooded site
of Mohonk Mountain House, where olden times invite
us to enjoy a beauty that is not finite;
the woods and paths within this silvan setting cite,
a charmed, venerable retreat of pure delight.
Mysterious, how lake reflections show the might
of steep stone, rugged cliffs that double in sunlight.
The depth of beauty of the rambling woods excite
the climbers to achieve top of the mountain height
and walk the lovely nature trails at first daylight.
Since eighteen sixty-nine, a much-revered highlight
for visitors to come and bond with nature's rite
at this historical reserve; be it campsite,
or indoor stay with lush Victorian insight,
where comfort, ambiance, and beauty so unite.
Tranquility is felt in all that's good and right
within this nature paradise both day and night.
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Premiere Contest: Monorhyme
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Judged: 05/21/2016
Required words used: ancient, silvan, venerable, mysterious, tranquility
Categories:
silvan, beautiful, nature, paradise,
Form: Monorhyme