~ Delta Poetry Review ~

Subtext

What we are capable of
is not yet known,
and I praise us now,
in advance. ~Dorianne Laux

Last fall I planted papery teardrop bulbs,
forgot they slept under mulched earth.
Orange and red snapdragons, blue ageratum,
quickly covered them over.

By spring, Peruvian lilies rocket toward light,
firework clusters of tiger striped blossoms.
Backyard planters incubate bearded iris,
inky jowls streaked gold, peach and purple.

Mornings, I strip away thistle and spurge, deadhead fading roses,
admire fairytale stalks of pink and white foxgloves.
Primed by the simple routine of establishing order,
I scribble embryo poems at my desk.

Letting words rest overnight, they breathe,
reveal subtext, disclose hidden secrets.
In the garden, concealed daffodils resurrect,
push through nasturtiums, unfold yellow trumpets.

Flow

Dew sprinkles droplets from receding fog,
bejewels bronze chrysanthemums.
Coffee wafts an inviting aroma
as scalding water saturates grounds,
fills waiting carafe.
Dogs grumble, paw the front door,
eager to be taken outside.

Invisible contagion surges.
Months of sheltering in place leave my hair
shaggy and silver, fingernails unpainted, soul restive.
Busy work offers the illusion of control,
pretense of normal routines during spreading pandemic.
I dead-head Peruvian lilies, strip yellowed foliage
from past-their-prime foxgloves, blotchy geraniums.

Surrounded by hummingbirds and salvia,
I breathe in pungent scent of herbal chaparral,
perform familiar garden tasks.
Industry soothes.
Hands pull weeds, pick purple and orange gladiolus.
I cultivate serenity, savor this safe realm.
Gratitude flows.

Prayer to Gaia

Turquoise ocean washes sandy beach,
storm fractured shoreline.
Mercurial weather delivers maverick waves,
sluices rocky coves encrusted with turban shelled snails,
orange starfish, purple sea urchins.

In Big Sur, redwood forests form steeples
above kinked seasonal creek beds.
Live oaks stretch gnarled limbs,
offer shade to sweaty hikers,
shelter blue jays,
acres of silvery sycamores
skirted by spring lupine and poppies.

You present us with watersheds,
grassland meadows, tule wetlands,
rugged Ventana wilderness terrain,
steep coastal range canyons.

Misty waterfalls of ephemeral fog
flow downhill from Inspiration Point,
shroud rising copper sun,
bejewel cypress needles,
bathe dusty corn lilies.

Goddess, for your gifts, we are grateful.