My backyard

Captures light,
iridescent prisms momentarily suspended in spider webs
crystalline raindrops race down the veins of night softened leaves
shadows twist and dance in the moist setting sun
Diamonds shattered on sunbeams splash on weathered lattice.

Sings with birdsong,
Cardinals in blazing red plumage, their imperious screech
call forth the lowly finch, all twitter and twitch
majestic Robins with puffed scarlet chests herald a new season
and mourning doves cooing and calming in gray solemn cloaks.

Shelters life,
black and red squirrels challenge each other for the most prized of the fruit of the walnut tree
hares hoard and jealously guard the seed from the birdfeeder
frogs, stalwart guardians of The Pond in their livery of green
night creatures wearing bandit masks brazenly stalk the composter.

Paints with colours,
Spring bulbs replenish the joy of life
Huecheras wave their frilly leaves in rainbow hues
Hostas, the silent green sentinels, all knowing, watch the children from the shade
Pennywort stretches and smiles in all her copper glory after a long winters sleep.

Ring sounds,
Church bells peal for a soul sent home
wolves howl from the marsh, the Hunters Moon
sirens wail, a new soul has arrived
lonely pups anxiously awaiting their companions return.

Enriches the gardener,
Ferns so delicate they forbid a human touch
hands creased in dirt, yet loving and true
leaves of maples in Autumn splendour
Earth so thick yet light filled with cast offs.

Comforts me,
in serenity providing the calm I seek
enlightens me to a path once walked
calling me home to a gentler day
in my garden, my Eden, my backyard.


A collaboration with my partner in rhyme Rogue.

For more scribblings this Sunday please visit Sunday Scribblings.

Sometimes I just shake my head...

Sometimes I just shake my head at the goings on at The Pond. Case in point, it was a sunny warm Saturday and after planting all the bulbs, way more than what was planned but after a colourless Winter I NEED colour in the garden. I digress. So I sit on my throne to ponder watching the frogs float about without a care in the world. Suddenly two of the larger ones hop out, sit and proceeded to stare at me. Hooo boy I thought here we go as I was wearing a red T-shirt. Anyone who has been around frogs will attest that wearing red is like waving a red flag at a bull. Strictly a no no. I froze waiting for the charge. Much to my relief, they separated, one heading north, the other heading south, towards the steps. Slowly they made their way to the first step and in unison hoped up onto the first step, one at either end.

Hhhmmmm, I thought, what are they up to. They hopped over to the planters filled with pots of mums. Aha! We’re going to play hide and seek are we. No sooner had I said it, then each in turn sits back craning their necks vertically much like a basketball player eyes the hoop, and up they go. They were a tad slow getting in but they made it. Slowly tip toeing their way thru the stems and flowers only to settle into the cool damp earth.

I related this tale to a few friends and yes the eyes did roll. “uh hunh Cheryl, yep, sure they did” “perhaps the lady doth ponder too much” and yada yada yada. I sighed and rolled my own eyes.
A few days later while outside I took the digi with me, just in case you see. One never knows does one. When I sat with tootsies up, yes you got it, out of The Pond pops one. I remember thinking in my best Elmer Fudd impression, sshhhhh be vary vary quiet, and quiet I was. Come hell or high water I was going to have proof! Slowly she hopped over stopping every few feet to see if I was watching and finally, yes ! finally she jumps as did I with digi clicking.
I was sooooo tempted to give her a wee upsie daisy with my hand but she had obviously done this before.

And yes even with thighs that meaty frog legs are a forbidden item on le menu.

As I wash windows

As I wash windows
my wind wonders why
we’re apart this day
of sunshine and warmth.

As I wash windows
I hear lovers laughter
on an early Autumn breeze
sharing their life together.

As I wash windows
birds swoop, wings intertwined
enveloping each others hearts
savouring the earths draft.

As I wash windows
I see my teary reflection
and scrub the pain clean
only hoping to shine another day.