soft light thru the dark wood-
sound of music fills the hollows-
Ozarks night at Copper Run
***
fast running creek -
tumbles to the tune of the Ozarks hills-
whiskey weather
***
liquid night in the Ozarks -
moonshine flows -
sweet as spring water
I wait for the dragons to arrive
slowly stretching my legs and back
just a small movement so as not to startle
my muscles or anything else
that might be watching
the light is laconic filtered camels
drifting into smoke filled streets
littered with red paper and broken balloons
what day is it? I’m asked
the day after the party
is the reply
as the crab skitters off in its
sideways dance
leaving the oddest tracks across the sand
shadows pass over the lengthening sun
before the sound of wings are heard
*** I have no idea – really must be the cold medicine – smiles
i wonder what might have been
in a story
just a little different than our own
would the landscape have changed
or furniture rearranged
to suit a differing eye
is it possible that subtle fate
or blatant minutes could have intervened
forming a collective lifetime
just a little different than our own
assuming details of your days
and possibly mine
in seasons of hail and star showers
would it have made that much difference
in a story
just a little different than our own
Naiad of Table Rock
grazing in the shallows of the rocky cove
wreathed by dragonfly wings
wide mouth filled with silvery minnows
with a flip of her tail
she is gone
the Riverman’s eldest Daughter
sleek as an old catfish
glistening in the milky light of the sun
makes her way to deepest pools
waiting for the chance
to knot fishing lines of the unwary angler
and tangle treasured lures
in hidden brush under the surface
of the cold fresh water lake
some think her a mermaid
but many scoff at the tales
until when out casting
late at night
in the dark of the moon
they see a vision
too large to be a common fish
her back scaled and iridescent
trailing bright phosphorescence
in the murky water
silvered hair floats above her
to the surface
as she takes their bait
and runs deep and fast-
another one that got away.
*** for dVerse prompt to write of mythological creatures – thought I would include our local naiad – pretty sure I have almost caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye – what was that big splash?
May Garden 2013
Record breaking snow fall May 2013
Yes, it is snowing in the Ozarks in May!
I was looking back at last years pictures and posts of the garden in April. And with the understanding that last year was unusual, by this time, all the trees were completely leafed out and my daylilies were in full bloom. Not this year!
This spring has brought us more seasonable April weather for the Ozarks – a coolish and rainy month with a few warm and perfect days. We can get glorious Mays, filled with lovely sunshine and warm days and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will be fortunate to have one of those months.
My columbines have surprised us again this year. These are the progeny of just 4 or 5 plants we put in the garden about 10 years ago. They have reseeded like mad and we never know what colors or forms they will take when they grace our garden with blooms.
They seem this year to have gone to a mauvey purpley color. Our big Colorado blue has turned dark maroon, though it has kept its size. We still have quite a few pale pink and bicolored, and one or two terrific grape purple. No doubles this year to my surprise. I had thought they would continue since they seemed to have established their own side of the garden-but not this year – they are all single blossoms.
I love this garden. It delights me every season with its beauty and its charm. One never knows what surprises it has in store – must be the fairies that live there!
take my hand and we will take this path
covering states and miles and hours
days of sunshine and mountain air
smoky pool halls and small rooms
warm against the winters ice
lets wander to the cities bright
with green lights and red
eyes of sorrow
entering small towns and villages
changing the view of rolling hills
to the pigtrails with deer
wallows hidden in the deep green
ferned hollows far below the rocky ledges
hold on tight as we move together
across time and space
skin yielding to years
trailed behind, left salted and sated
on this path we take, take my hand
