poem

The Golden Hour

"And God walked with them

[Adam & Eve] in the cool of the day."

The Golden Hour - 

That hour between

afternoon & evening

Tonight not Golden

but Grey

I walk on grey asphalt

Murky grey clouds

give poor reflection

The last sounds

of the day

Punctuate the air

The air laughs

with children's play

Dinner aromas waft

from house to house

Cars come home

to roost

Scattered lawn chairs

as remains of the day

Rivulets of water

create long ribbons

of molten yellow pollen

I walk to the end 

of the cul-de-sac

and Stop. dead. alert.

A deer. it's white ears

and tail flick. One back

leg moves.

Our gaze is interrupted

People come

the buck runs

He says he plants corn

for them in the woods

Turning sudden

street & house lamps

flick on

"The light has come

and darkness has not

understood it."

A lone dove

A cricket chirps

Joy swells my heart

Smile causes a

ripple effect

 

The beach at sunset and sunrise

Ocean Sunset

St. Pete Beach, FL

WE RUN BREATHLESS
GIGGLING

GOD’S GRANDE FINALE
THE ORCHESTRA TUNING

THE CYMBAL CRASHES
THE ORBED FLAMING SUN
DESCENDS

IT’S GLORIOUS
A WATERCOLOR PAINTING
OVER THE OCEAN

THE SUN FLAMES ORANGE
COLOR THAT BLENDS
RED WITH YELLOW

THE SKY BLUSHES PINK
COLOR THAT BLENDS
RED WITH WHITE

GOD DIPS HIS BRUSH IN
THE SEA: TURQUOISE -
BLUE WITH GREEN

HE’S PAINTING
       PAINTING

WE WATCH
UNTIL THE VERY END

HE REACHES FOR AN INKWELL
DIPS A FOUNTAIN PEN IN
AND DRAWS LONG STRAIGHT LINES
ON THE WAVES

THE LINES COME TOWARD US
ONE AFTER THE OTHER
LIKE THE UNSPOKEN LYRICS
OF HIS SONG

I WANT TO LEARN IT
MEMORIZE IT
SING -

HE’S INVITING US
AS LINE AFTER LINE
PUDDLE AT OUR FEET

SEA BIRDS AND CLOUDS
ARE NOW SHADOWS
FLYING AWAY

WE LINGER
WATCHING THE CREDITS
HEARING THE SONG AGAIN
JUST FOR US

SAND IS STICKING TO MY FEET
I DON’T WANT TO SHAKE OFF
THIS MOMENT
THIS TRANSIENT MOMENT OF GRANDEUR.

Ocean Sunrise

The sun’s descent last night
Ignited our desire to see
it’s ascent this morning

We started our day with vigor
Laced up tennis shoes
and running, running,
running

We can see a sunrise
on our Atlantic coast
but this is the Gulf Coast

We run
the sun creeps up behind us
behind the tall swaying palms

Sun's rays warm our backs
Lengthen our shadows

I let Derick run ahead
He’s faster, determined

I linger slower
Captivated by the
charm of the sea

It’s a rippling shell
Glistening in bright
iridescent hues

The water's edge
scallops

Foam disperses into
intricate woven lace
at my feet

Then I notice the
sea gulls in day light

They are unlike
their East coast cousins

East coast birds
emit a cacophony of noise
Fighting over limited
offerings from bystanders

Gulf coast birds
are quiet and docile

Each bird is self-possessed
and a king in his own rite

They huddle in groups
discussing the merits
of clam souffle and
clam cheesecake

I laugh, turn,
lean into the sun
glance again at the
new face on the sea

The sea has moods
expressions
faces

It is only a reflection
rippling and splashing back
at the sky

Derick waits for me
we run together
each sand dune a hurdle

2012 - The Year in Flowers

We started 2012 in Bangalore, India with my husband's family.  The first picture is a bouquet that was presented to us with much pomp and circumstance.  Imagine dignitaries and a Kollywood (this is NOT misspelled!) star seeing us off to our visit to mountainous Coorg.  A wild ride with curious monkeys looking on. Atop the mountains we were in tea fields - my dream!  We stayed at a coffee plantation on my first to India, so now it's complete!  Next, notice the beautiful chalk drawings on the pavement by my talented sister-in law, Premila.  She also, like is a tradition in India, designs flower arrangements as heads of flowers and petals floating on water.  These arrangements are placed next to the front door of your dwelling.  Another common practice is to have large clay pots lined up against your home or around your patio so to enjoy every variety of flower, vegetable or herb for cooking or medicinal purposes.  Derick's mom and Premila take wonderful care of these plants as you see Amma's yellow sunflower on her terrace looking out. This blue and white bowl is my attempt to re-create these beautiful Indian water arrangements.  We all love flowers!!!

From India we return to Jacksonville and later Saint Augustine as we move in June.  With the help of a friend, I start a flower ministry at church for the sick, hurting, or anyone needing cheering up or encouraging.  What a joy to cheer so many dear ones and use my gifts and passion for flowers.  Enjoy the rest of these shots!

  I heard it once said that when God created the world, He laughed in flowers.  I believe it and am the richer for it.  Thank you for laughing too!!  I'll see you in 2013 in the next post!