Poet. Writer. Photographer.
I am never blind to the beauty,
but sometimes I get inner-weary,
and I simply let the nature settle
upon me, then slowly seep
into me, filling all those places deep
that needed a coating.
I am never deaf to the beauty.
Sometimes a storm comes ’round to relieve me,
for after my heart skips a beat
and my soul settles after the leap,
the retreating rumbles leave me feeling
not quite so
defeated.
I challenge you…
to try to remain focused
on your mind’s troubles
when fallen tree-blossom petals
keep playfully popping
your bubble,
to attempt to cling
to the dust
gathering on
your dream’s wings
when gusts
of spring breeze
keep gleefully
sweeping,
to keep your head down
from the weight
of the world
when the sky keeps trying
to tantalize your gaze
with bursts of new-morning colors
and clouds ever-shifting
into signs and shapes,
to stay lost
in your desperate search for
home
when the endless paths
keep beckoning you
to put on your shoes
to walk your soul
to where it needs you
to go,
to bury in the cold, dark ground
the hope you’ve written off as false
and walk off
just before the spring
emerges again
with new buds that bleed
leaf-green and rose-red.
I challenge you…
to try to keep
focused on your woes
and grief
when Mother Nature
and Spring
are teaming up and waiting
to scoop you up
and take you away
for a while;
why do you resist
their free gifts and service,
all the ways
the wonders all around you
persist
in letting you witness
how beautiful
life is,
especially with you
in it?
Poem and all images ©LauraDenise
Mower engine stopped
at the sight of movement
in a patch of wild,
human stoops low
to observe
from a different perspective
for a while…
What intricate patterns and details!
What interesting coloring…
Magnificent minuscule creature,
you are quite lovely!
Hop along now!
Hop elsewhere to safety.
With lens and mind’s eye,
I’ve captured your beauty.
I think time has been frozen
during our rendezvous,
another mindful escape
through the portal of
a different view,
and to think I may have missed
the opportunity to be infused
with another dose of soulful bliss
on this gorgeous May afternoon…
American grasshopper ©LauraDenise
A beautiful May Day,
a time to celebrate
spring and me,
the blessings He
continuously gifts,
I continuously see;
may I never lose that
heightened ability,
for with it, the awe
of every petal and leaf
seeps into my being,
and with the scents
and colors, I give back
in letters arranged
to the best of my ability
beautifully
to use the talent
He granted me,
and on this day
especially,
I wrap myself
in the love
He endlessly offers
unconditionally
and treat
myself with self-love
humbly
for on this day,
He put such care
into creating me.
He saw me through
every storm
and brought me
to the sea.
I can’t wait to see
what He has in store
next for me.
I continue to follow
faithfully,
as I have for so long
blindly,
but now all about me,
it seems,
are bits and pieces
leading
to some great revealing.
I am getting nearer
to where he wants me to be.
I’m getting nearer
to the highest form of
love and happiness
that can only bloom
from the seeds
He has planted
specifically
in me.
It’s that time of year!
Southern magnolia trees are in bloom!
Oh, how my heart leaps up
when the grand floral
make their debut!
Such magnificent, prodigious petals
in the color of purity
fill my soul with a sense
of excited glee,
an unexplained happiness
that hatches in me
from long-lost identity
each time we meet.
Like the moon and the sea,
the clouds and trees,
this flower is somehow
connected to me.
I wish its gift were not so fleeting,
but if I didn’t have the anticipation,
I might not fully appreciate
the blessing
of another season.
Poem and images ©LauraDenise
I do not need spring
to bring me relief
from barrenness of green,
for beauty
I can still see
in the bleak;
all seasons
year-round
live in me,
as mixed up
as this year’s weather
has proven
to be.
I do not deny, though,
that I am happy to greet
the buds of pink
popping up so soothingly,
as if showering
my healing spirit
with my favorite
floral coloring.
You spoil me,
dear Spring.
I stop my feet
and indulge in
the thought retreat,
still my camera,
and with the bees,
capture the sweet
intricacies hidden in
the blushes of
the softest of
pinks.
🌸🌸💝🌸💓🌸💞🌸💗🌸💖🌸🌸
Poem and images ©LauraDenise
Red Caterpillar Tree
is what it is to me,
don’t know the technical
scientific species.
If you know,
please don’t tell me;
let my imagination
run free
like a Dr. Seuss
fantasy
where the bizarre springs
from common things
and nonsense words
are conceived
in fun sing-song
bedtime stories.
Yes, Red Caterpillar Tree
it is to me
with Pillar-Pellers
whispering, whispering
to me,
drawing me near
to hear
their giggling.
Silly things,
say, “Cheese!”
please;
let me capture
your glorious
bizarre beauty!
Let me pet your
soft bristle-ees.
Pillar-Pellers,
just chilling in
the breeze,
unnoticed by others
breezing by too quickly
to notice the glory
of what imagination
can bring,
can add
to the already
glorious scenery.
Slow down enough
to notice the details
of spring,
to hear the giggling
coming from the
Red Caterpillar Tree.
I match my gait to the beat of my buds,
a dance in my step, arms raise up
like wings against the spring wind:
I become invincible (once again).
The trees seem to bow before me as I pass;
no selfies, only Nature do I photograph,
except when I think of capturing my shadow—
wind-whipped, flying, part human, part eagle.
Of course, a heart-shaped, hot-air-balloon cloud floats by
to widen my smile with symbolism, a recognized sign.
Peace and harmony and mutual respect
are the consistent qualities of my nature relationship.
Yesterday’s lows give way to today’s highs
as I leave my shadow to continue on
and ascend to the sky for a time…
Poem and Image ©LauraDenise
Spring to me,
the remedy
for the
hangover
of winter’s
tenebrosity.
Spring breeze,
soul cleaning,
wisks away
the dust from
despondency.
Spring fling,
sing to me,
songs upbeat
wake from hibernation
dancing feet.
Spring to me,
hospitality,
coming in through
the window screens;
Welcome, Spring!
Open your doors,
open your hearts,
open yourself to
the possibilities
that spring brings.
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
Such soothing,
soulful secrets
lost in the
songs unheard;
step outside,
close your eyes,
and silently
listen to the
wisdom
of the birds.
Poem and image ©Laura Denise
Laura Denise 