Nature Poems (1,977)

I was up in the hills checking some fence for Dad
While home from school on vacation
It started to snow,and soon covered the trail
But I knew my exact location.

I put up a lean-to for my gelding Bill
Then up a small tent for me
I started a fire and started up a stew
And I boiled some sassafras tea.

It was Christmas Eve and it snowed all night
But by morning the sky was clear
I found myself thinking that this has to be
My favorite time of the year.

I got a feedbag and gave Bill some oats
Then I got my fire going again
I thought of my folks and all of the guests
Who for days had been wandering in.

They'd be on the carpet in front of the fire
And passing their gifts around
And here's 'ol me snowed in, in the woods
My carpet, the frozen ground.

I spotted a pine tree, with cones that hung
Like ornaments Nature had made
The green of that tree was something to see
Like beautiful Chinese jade.

A hidden choir of coyotes sang carols
While a brown bear watched from a hill
I boiled me some more of that sassafras tea
Then sat and drank my fill.

Three mountain jays came to check me out
And flitted from branch to branch
They too, were like ornaments on our tree
In the living room back at the ranch.

There, by now, all the folks would be sorry
I'm missing their Christmas Cheer
But when I get home, I'll have to tell
How I had my Christmas here.

Casting light on shortest day my sunrise
Creeping over the top of distant hills
Marvel glowing bands of lavender skies
Quiets the lonesome night and bitter chills

Slowly, drifting, swirling clouds that appear
Their dark, bulging centers bearing more snow
Soft snowflakes fall tumbling down and adhere
Covering and hiding features below

Tell me where the soft gurgling brook went
Its sounds cannot be heard in the valley
Just the hush of dampening snows’ descent
Such long weeks before winter’s finale

Casting eyes upon the first morning light
Lavender skies….such a beautiful sight

The Tree

As stately as I stand, I still fall victim to the axe
I think that I shall never see a hundred years and that's a fact
My leaves fall to earths floor to cover the past; longing for the sweet sounds of nature to guard my present
After all I'm just a tree
I line the forest and add shade to your gardens against earths flowing wind, I still want to be free
My beauty shines in all types of weather, still I'm a lovely tree
With roots running deep and leafy branches reaching for the sky
When birds sit on me I feel a mile high
After all I'm just a tree
All the birds and animals can rest on me
I stand tall and straight looking to the heavens on every sunny day
Winters may be gloomy, but I still stand and look forward to May
After all I'm just a tree

Only his song
His hearts shrill call
Waited patiently for
Another whispered back
His desire .......never
Indifferent in its tone
Wished to sing always
Find love on the wing
Love that is a whole
Pursuit has gone mad
To the amazement of all
All creation applauds

come with me
to a quiet place...
with views serene...
above, an amazing sight
the clouds that clothe
the deep blue skies...
bring depths of hues
so warm and bright
the water comes in
gently with the tide
teasing, lapping
my feet, such delight
with views serene
mesmerize the eyes
it never fails to
touch the heart until
relieved, you'll sigh
aahh, bliss, such bliss!
to a quiet place
come with me

The diggers dug deep
Into the heap
That was once upon a time
An opencast
coal mine.

Pathways carved around
Two large mounds
And curved around the middle
It was a fiddle.

The sculpture now seen
of the
Northern
Earth women

A beautiful concept
To hide
The ugliness
Of open coal
Blasting

Fading white, peaceful sky at night
Backdrop blue, for baubles bright
Eerie the moon, crystal white
Waiting stars, to complete sight

Halo of light, hovers in flight
Glow a warning, fantasy kite
Lanterns guide, lost souls home
Mesmerize- trap, no longer roam

Silver stars, can't twinkle alone
Reflective host, darkened dome
Night galaxy, leading the way
Beautiful herald, followed by day

"when I buried hate
and then forgave
a poem grew
around the grave"


The old man appeared surly, because he WAS surly. He spent the latter part of the day as he had it's commencement, trying to fit in.

Wilbur was a town much like any other. It had once been a destination. Now it was a way to another way. Viewed from an elevated pass, it was not unlike a medical sketch of the human heart. An arterial way in, a mixing chamber .. and a road out. As with any heart, women were found there. But that's another story.

The man studied the faces of the men who drank with him. A shot glass was swallowed by his hand before his throat made sure. Cigar smoke hung heavy, and a card game pitched and rolled around the workings of his ear. All his work was done a town ago. The spoils lay in a bag by his feet under the table. Every now and then, when it took his fancy to do so, he felt down for his holster. It was a cold day in a God forsaken town, but the still warm barrel bestowed a peace on him.

The old man had wounds. The kind only whiskey could cauterise. His scars visible only to the workings of his mind. He was the second to the last one born, toiling for food on his daddy's farm, scratching an existence from dust and hopelessness.

A blacksmith will impart wisdom to a man, if you are fortunate enough to know one of even temper. Metal is very much like character. Some wilt in the furnace of tribulation, some are made stronger. Some, it turns out, are even remade by terrible pain.

The old man's story would be told in the newspapers and wanted signs. In the throats of story tellers and in the cautionary sermons of learned men. But the true nature of his business was between him and his father. He didn't rob that bank and kill those men to take something. He was giving something away.

His name.

Driving along the road yesterday
Up ahead were flashing hazard lights
I slowed down on approaching the fray
Until I could get in full sight

Wondering if something bad was ahead
One man was getting out of his car
I approached cautiously with much dread
He was staring at the hot blacktop tar

I too looked to see what was there
And started to laugh at the sight that I saw
Trudging down the road without a care
I watched this huge turtle in awe

He kept walking with determination
Not to let anything stop him
From reaching his final destination
Did he know his chances were very grim

I drove on praying in my heart
That God’s creature would be safe in his travels
Wishing that we humans were that smart
To trust God when our life starts to unravel

Knowing that He is watching over us
And He will help us to get where we are going
Without all the fuss and muss
But with complete faith and knowing

The core
of orange
falling down
through open
branches
of green
embracing
the sunset.