MothwingBlog nature-art-poetry

cottontail rabbit came calling late summer afternoon --
we'd seen one another several times that season
me startling him with the garden hose
intent on watering the plants he was hiding among
quickly apologizing with a gentle tone
sorry to disturb you, little friend

this day he sat in cool shadows
beneath the forsythia bush
no doubt a more refreshing spot
than his home in the forest across the road
with breezes here and blooming clover

my chosen task this day
to mow the lawn before it turned to meadow
I saw him there
and wondered how long he would tolerate
the roaring din of the mower's engine
passing back and forth, covering
every square foot of lawn
except a dwindling square
around the spot where he sat
silent and undisturbed

year after year we had seen adult rabbits
bring their little ones to this yard
sweet with clover
without the poisons for weeds and insects
that made the lawns all all around so bitter
no wonder he saw this space as his own
and so he sat and held his ground
until I had to yield --
the zone he claimed would not
be mown today
and in the quiet that followed
after I let the motor die
I laughed and softly said to him
you win!

life offers so many wonders
but few so personal as this:
five minutes later
as I coiled the garden hose
in another corner of the yard
thinking our encounter over
I turned surprised to see him sitting
ten feet away
his head cocked slightly
his eye on mine
curious and friendly
I laughed and found a spot to sit

can you see
my gentle companion and me?
kindred hearts sharing time
and silent conversation
so much in common
this day
this summer's tender beauty
blossom fragrance on the breeze
this trust

We learn from our gardens to deal with
the most urgent question of the time:
How much is enough?

The Summer Rain
where can it be?
beyond the horizon
over the sea?
the heat relentless
no sleeping tonight
leaves me defenseless
when memories arrive

The Summer Rain
reminds me of you
I get so misty
heart all blue
the flashing lightning
shows tears in my eyes
thunder my heartbeat
since your goodbye

The Summer Rain
refreshes the air
quenches the senses
answers the prayer
the cooling breeze
kisses your brow
the rain in torrents
here it comes now

patient rhythm of the sun
comes round to this again
the barefoot season has begun
and watch the fun it brings

when body sheds coats
of wool and down
to show the sun
the open sense of skin
to feel the flow
of every breath
of wind
to touch tne natural world
with everything
within

to dance with waves of ocean
rolling in
to reach
the sacred elevation
where earth
reaches up to sky
as kin
to sleep in fragrant forest
misty secrets
on the wind

to echo every chant of bird
fly to every height
upon their wing
to float upon
the drift of cloud
until the seasons spin
and summer's bask
of timeless ease
turns survival fight again
when winter's wail
returns to hijack
scented wind

'til then we revel
in the rich and lusty
bounty of the land
apricots and cherries
and fresh corn on the cob
grapes and melons
and every kind of berries
perfect pleasure
on the tongue
melting sunshine
turns to sweetness
juices run

eat the red tomato
fresh and whole
ripe as wisdom
deep as dawn
fill your basket
sing out your song
the barefoot season
lasts
so
long