White Poinsettia

Aztecs surely knew
what glory they might
bring to hopeful eyes,
cultivating the brilliant

flor de Nochebuena,
delicate broad plant
mostly seen in season
of Christ’s Celebration,

wide green leaves with
snowy bracts fluttering,
gracefully curving to points,
so like wings of angels.

Angels’ Wings – Watercolor by Marilyn Peretti

 

 

 

 

Fabyan Japanese Gardens

To Be Changed

seek quiet
in a Japanese Garden

walk without sound
passing black pines

slender lavender blooms
on giant ribbed hostas

the dry stone creek bed
will rush with rain

pause at the pond
cross the moon bridge

dipping to the stone lantern’s
unmovable thick walls

arched openings for light
seeping through rice paper

at night
to change you

Moon Bridge and Lantern

They Soar for Us

Sign of good air and water,
the bald eagles soar once again,
their strong and regal stature
an inspiration for our own survival.

Here in December, the pair
are tending twigs in their nest,
and bringing in dry grasses
for the soft baby beds
needed later in March
when three smooth white eggs
will appear,

and both will protect them
even from wind and snows
of late winter.

Mom, with her “eye shadow” & less than snowy head.

Juvenile invades parents’ nest!

 

 

 

Pair altering the architecture of last year’s nest!

Stepping Lightly

We walk on air every day,
the weight of our bodies
pressing our luck, pressing
through time and space,
each step a choice
to stomp a heavy foot upon
tender green fragility, or
with our wings of diplomacy
spread wide, float along
the line of life we’re given,
crushing nothing in our path.

From the book “Lichen-Poems of Nature”, http://www.blurb.com