Up on an
Ozark
hillside
I live high
in the tree tops
where green meets the sky
And Earth’s
wayside
anchor
roots
caravan
down
to
flowing
lake
waters
as lavender
light
t r a v e l s … t h r o u g h
on its way
y
a
d
o
t
p
u
And I nestled
among
the
living
w r a p p e d
a r o u n d
m y
s h o u l d e r s
in Maude’s old
p a t . c h
w o . r k
q . u i l t
The unfurling of a fern’s single frond!
springtime finds
even with icicle bluffs
grey days sing
Grateful for This day ~
How do I even begin to describe this morning’s soft light and cold settling air?
My morning write ~ it is . . . . . .
light filtering softly
bounded by oak & hickory trees
chasing grey haze and mist rising
carrying the mighty earth upwards
the loft of cold air smelling like
freshly cooked apples and honey jam
with underneath tones of hot butter sizzles
Now, how do I hold on to this moment? … to carry it with me throughout my day and to remind me of the mighty love I know I too carry inside me each day!
Good morning from the lakeside deck ~
This morning’s blue after fog lifted!
simply blue
cobalt blue feather
I touch one
Good morning from the lakeside deck ~
As I sit out on my deck this morning, I realize I need to keep my eyes and ears open to even see what is right in front of me!
We can miss so much in the moments of living. Too easily, we pay attention to our phones, read posts from social media and listen to the news steaming over the TV that we can actually miss our morning!
Time slips away and our morning and is gone before we can even get started. Careful as I go! Focus!
My morning writing ~
a morning sanctuary sits
in front of me
I touch earth and sky
here ~ where life meets the shore
shouting out glory to this day
as grace and beauty tumbles
into my heart
I listen closely and
watch miracuously to see
how can I not
but stop and stand
in pure awe
of this ~
open wide
these shutters and doors
open wide
this earthly hearth
open wide
my kitchen table
as I gather
all I can!
Then It Was Gone
A marching band came by
this morning
in stark white uniforms
~ floating by ~
even steps throughout
left to right
in the middle and centered squared
marching all the way down the cove
I saw their feathered hats
tipped back
in great salutes
to the bright blue skies above
as they passed
right by
in front of the grand
viewing stands
I heard their last
music playing
as they trailed
out of sight and sound
on their way south
to join in
just another
popup parade
Good morning!
Starting my day by Lake Ann ~ blessings for this wonderful Saturday!
I start the day out on my deck which overlooks Lake ANN ~ surrounded by hillsides all about.
Hummingbirds are already up and at it chasing each other through the high trees over to their treehouse feeder.
I touch the earth and sky here ~
My morning writing ~
grey white blue
unmasking the sky
sunshine flows
shaped by lakeside hills
living under a sky dome
I touch threads of blue
morning rise prayers
I’m held in a blue sky cup
my worries let go
I live underneath a tree skylight
In a wonderland of woodland trees
Where spring waters flow into beautiful lakes
With ease and peaceful mornings
I touch the sky
Quickened sounds of birds & critters
Fill every crevice down sloping hillsides
Telling of safe maneuvers through rock & tree
With hope and comfort for coming days
I touch the earth
Step out into the sky . . .
Lash it around you
And hold it close
Swinging it to and fro
As you drop straight over
The White River bottom bridge …
Carrying the mighty sky with you
Listen to the meadow larks
As you watch
Giant double winged dragonflies
Fly through triple-wired fences
Strap summertime’s heavy sun
Next to you
As the wind carries you
And descends
Through tall grass rushes
Blowing along
Old Red Bird fields
Ride the Bright Blue Sky and
Fly the heavy Tossed Hot Summer winds
Traveling down country roads
Lite on sweet sunflowers & thistle blooms
As you make this
a most
glorious
high
summertime
day
Poetry prompt from Tweetspeak Poetry Press using writing exercises from Mary Oliver’s book, How To Write A Poem. My poem is based on the prompt using a poem by Stevens, Snow Man.
One must be a mind of spring
To feel the rich coolness in the air
And the ground unearthed
To behold the Ozark hills adorned
Sprinkled in spring pinks and service whites
And hold their softness in your arms
To be out and about roaming
Walking boldly among the blossoms
Feeling each new petal and young green leaf
And in April still breathing in pollen storms
While braving the weather forecasts anyway
To walk through the back hollows
Go down by the creek rock springs
And watch the clear waters flow
Then hunt for morels undeneath an old elm tree
Sit in wonder at a mountain lake
To see the sunlight play
And watch the southeast winds hit water tops
Making new disappearing wind-fans
One must have a spring mind
To know what is new
And to find their roots again
southeast winds
carry sounds galore
memories
#haiku #amwriting
As I begin this winter season, I accept the Fearless Writing Challenge to write each day. Thank you Crescent Dragonwheel for your inspiration!
Writers Night Out
Lakepoint Restaurant on Lake Loch Lomond
Free my heart . . .
Where the mighty sky meets
Mountains strong
Rooted into dark deep earth
Facing the world
Soft gentle snowflakes
Dropping ever so slowly
Pouring out freely!
But only seen
By eyes that watch
By bodies that feel
And souls that see
Trading nothing at all
But for themselves
Falling
Softly and
Free
Time comes to me through an open door. . .
Setting on my lakeside deck
Barefoot
Grounded by woods
Air and the lake below
I hold my love for being here
Present
Now and today
Firmly rooted in my Ozarks
Where
Sky meets treetops
Where thinly scattered clouds
Shroud the sun
Where the sun makes its way up
Moving the light over my
Arms and then my face
I say – – –
Don’t move
Be still
Just listen
Hold onto this moment
I touch scared space
Finding love
I carry hope
With me forever – – –
God touches the morning
And here
I find my home
Writing Notes: Afternoon photo taken with my iPhone driving down Interstate 540 towards Bella Vista, AR.
Staccato fair weather clouds
Were but musical notes played
With quick and sharpened edges
Dancing over the day’s blue skies
Lines of sinuous musical notes
Framed my road’s horizon
And led me to an abrupt chorus refrain!
Glory be . . . .
*{shared with @dVerse Poetics Open Link}
Once more
These late summer days
Unfold into glorious
September Gold
First Phase — SKY
Sky blues
At an all time high
Blue, blue, blue
So blue ~ I could even fly
Second Phase — EARTH
many harvest colors
scratch the landscape ~
old brown hardwoods
new roadside reds
bright orange edges and
yellow sunshine golds
just simple stubble
on these ancient hills
sticking out —
like an old man growing
a brand new beard
orchards sit
on both sides of the road
plentiful red delicious apples
ready for picking and
offering apple cider makings
Third Phase — WATER
summer droughts
have parched the lands
and stilled rivers
but now
from around the bend
over and across the cove
moving down river
Cyrstal Springs and
Sugar Creek waters
begin to flow again
Fouth Phase — PEOPLE
framed by tree bridges
campfires and paddle boats
new campsites dug in
tents and trailers
fill every nook and cranny
fairy tales
fly out of story books
stories abound —
cane pole fishing and
catching rainbow trout
for iron skillet cooking
grandpa
tapping maple trees
for their sweet sugar sap
stirring up golden brown
home made country syrup
Fifth Phase — SPIRIT
And I . . .
watch each new sunrise
listen to the morning blue heron calls
pray for peace and some measured joy
then
with one step
walk out again
along these Ozark woodland trails
now through overgrown shores
waiting to hear the call to stay!
Once more
These late summer days
Unfold into glorious
September Gold
Places - Nature - Photography
Steve's body of work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike - yet always retains the human element.
Author, Speaker, Workshop Leader
Come for the stories, stay because it's not Facebook
The beautiful picture of angels makes you happy.
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