snow is late to leave
spring has come in full measure
no less welcome now
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for Day 21 of NaPoWriMo 2014. “better to be late than never” ~ Peter Sellers
Category Archives: nature
a haiku for peace
a joy that renews
rebirth of life and hope
the woods are reborn
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for Day 20, Easter Sunday, NaPoWriMo 2014. catching up.
breathing
this new season
takes slow breaths
deep, silent, fresh
shaking off,
at times impatiently
the frozen crust
that claimed us all
for far too long
there is only gentleness
in her morning sighs today,
soft rain drops light
on flowers, birds and grass
and in my thoughts
startled, I see lilac buds
and they are green,
surely not since yesterday?
but, yes they are,
a swift and stealthy
gift from spring
and I bloom too
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spring is mercurial as we all know. two steps forward… for Day 23 of NaPoWriMo.
riding earth
the dogs and I emerge
and head for freedom
tunneled through our woods,
a path of rich delights,
the sights and smells of life
lived on another scale,
returning home
renewed
today I feel connected
beyond my simple paradise,
as this glorious ship
sails through
the light and dark of space
as we live on her, taking
more than giving, plucking
fruits that may not
always grow again
and though some care,
the press of each day’s life
forces most to singular survival
not sure, or even caring
that the aggregated slag
of heedless use
will surely leach away
her life blood
and then ours
unless we love
our mother, steadfast
and protect her still rich bounty
simply for the joy
it brings us now
we will surely have denied
the birthright of
those loved ones
not yet born
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I have always loved the connectedness I feel on earth day. For Day 22 of NaPoWriMo 2014.
bright shadows
a snowless moon, if full
is no less bright
with patterned shadows
stretching over grass
and creeping up the outer walls,
those dark, strong arms
that cast their reach
like rod and line
out over streams,
a weightless overlay,
yet angular and hard.
my room is bright,
the window’s echo
stands in bold relief
against the wall,
angled down in stark perspective
as the moon begins to set.
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the moon, nearly full last night, cast amazing shadows both inside and outside, which stayed with me until I woke up this morning. Day 18 of NaPoWriMo 2014.
rhythm
red squirrel is graceful
moving in then out for seeds
almost keeping time
I love the rhythmic movement of the squirrels at “their” feeder in the crotch of our apple tree, reaching down to take a seed, then up, then down again. For Day 17 of NaPoWriMo.
Venus waiting
From my pillow, just awake
I saw the eastern sky,
spread clear and pale behind
still leafless trees,
hung with a glowing light
among their limbs.
I first thought to deny
this star so close to sunrise,
then felt its beacon’s pull,
guiding me to daylight
from the darkness of a dream
so gladly left.
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the first view of the day ahead is often evocative for me. This morning Venus was hanging in the trees, as though waiting for me to wake up. She gradually faded as the sun drew nearer and my dark dream receded.
The Raid
We think she ambled up our hill
and grabbed the seed bin
left outside our door
then took her prize down to
the stream-cut woods
behind the house to feast
Our feeders are aswarm again
returning snowbirds and
winter stalwarts busy feeding
none of whom would care she came
unless denied their food
But the squirrels and I are glad
that she was choosy in her way
Do you think if I asked nicely
she would return my scoop?
first light
when first light comes
my bedroom window pales
to violet behind the trees.
then stealthy flittings
catch my eye, as birds
begin the early dash
from woods to house
and feeders. sprinters,
flyers, swoopers,
vying to be first.
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
in flux
great movement has begun once more
with snow’s retreat into the ground
and sun’s advance up to its peak
we look out into woods or over lawns
and see a constant ebb and flow
of birds now grounded, searching food
the leavened earth is pushing up
its sleepy winter denizens in search of warmth
to meet bright eyes and hungry beaks
our feathered corps is swelling once again,
as winter stalwarts joined by brighter guests
begin to dance the minuet of spring
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
anticipation
despite the two-step
back and forth
of sun and snow,
there is new growth
emerging from
the silver painted trees
that greeted me
this morning
the promised gifts
of warmth and green
are on approach,
not yet in sight
though moving closer,
not quite frigate bird
in endless motion,
they are more subtle
in descent
spring’s silent feet
are passing by
the slowing pace of winter
in its wanton marathon,
not in a sprint,
but sidling steps
that lull the beast,
so grass will grow
for us to dance upon
and sing the notes
of rising life again
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will she won’t she? mother nature, that is.
Imagining dragonflies
Walking under mid-March flying clouds,
snow still layered tightly on this wetland road,
there are soft murmurs, water running under ice,
the flow from unseen melt is fleeing winter.
A half-warm sun and gusting wind of early spring
cannot erase the memory of heat and fecund life,
riches here to be regained at nature’s pace, not mine.
The dogs and I tramp to the dam and back,
and dream of summer pleasures looming large,
imagining the dragonflies.
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On yesterday’s wetland walk my mind kept overlaying summer on what I was seeing.
Life With Horace 