Early Morning on the Everglades Sawgrass Prairie

Blanket of gauze

lay upon me,

sooth me.

Gentle breath

cleanse me,

refresh me.

Fog fingers

caress me,

before you go.

For scorching rays

will come

to sap me.

Harsh winds

wait

with cruel whip.

Yet, the memory

of your kiss

sustains me.

And I know

you will

return.

Morning Fog Gently Laid on Spiderweb and Sedge

Note: On my early morning visits to the Everglades,  I always look for fog. When I see it hugging the lowlands excitement wells up within me,  for fog brings a mysterious beauty to all that it touches and a challenge to capture its wistful essence.

Wild "Cracker Horses" in Paynes' Prairie Preserve State Park

What words tell of the ethereal,

a quality elusive

yet conceived of universal longing.

Every life cries for the chance

to run free,

to be one with the wind.

Even in the depths of night

beats a dream of desire

to let potential rise.

So creation wails,

“Release me!”

Let me dive, let me climb,

let me explore. . .me.

I was not made for fetters,

for within my breast

a cadence beats:

freedom, FREEdom, F R E E D O M!

Note: The wild horses of Paynes’ Prairie Preserve State Park are descendents of the first horses brought to America by the Spanish explorers. Free to roam 21,000 acres of grassland, these horses have never known captivity.  The park is located 10 miles south of Gainesville, in Micanopy, Florida. I chanced to photograph these horses shortly before sunset on a warm winter day.

Compelled  by Love

From depths within as if I would burst

Wells a fire born of Love’s grace

Compelling release of power sweet

As spring lashed rain

Yet mighty as eagle’s down.

What impetus, you ask, fills your breast

With beats of fife and drum

‘Ere in woodland, plain, or marsh you press

Onward, bearing Charity’s gift

To crippled, lame, and lost.

‘Tis Father’s mantle running red

Through Son so pure  and holy

That bound my wounds,

Kissed tear-stained cheeks,

And whispered, “Come, dance with me.”

I cannot halt this journey

For all must hear Wind’s engaging song

Of ardor rich beyond measure

Freely lavished for all;

This, eternity’s greatest treasure.

Note: My wish to you during this festive season is that you would know true love so rich and full that welling up within you it overflows on all around.

The lady endures through unending night,

Her surface a witness of composure.

Still holding fast the dream of morning light;

Belying secret pain without measure.

For within her depths lurk memories dark,

Of untold hardships and private anguish.

Regrets of deferred hope have left their mark,

On youthful fantasies left to languish.

But then shatters darkness’ hold all around,

As streams of living color spread their holy glow.

Life floods her tortured soul with love now found,

And trust renewed for each day’s ebb and flow.

                For all this simple truth is plain to see,

                Live in light day and night and you’ll be free.

Note: I took this photo at Long Pine Key in  Florida’s Everglades National Park during the pre-dawn twilight hour. The placid lake waters reminded me of a woman, beautiful on the outside but hurting deep within. With this thought in mind, I dared to pen a sonnet in her honor.

Purple Gallinule

A rainbow drawn from the sky

Given wings with which to fly

Propped on golden toes so long

From lily pad stage she clucks her song

With sun’s rising at six o’clock

Breakfast served of spatterdock

Add a side of grasshopper meat

Finish with a minnow treat

Fly, then climb o’er rushes standing tall

Summon you mate with piercing call

Choose a sequestered place to rest

Together secure a floating nest

A clutch of speckled eggs her reward

Brooding duties not ignored

Soon seven chicks run all around

Sporting coats of midnight down

Until the time of transformation

When bursts forth living coloration

Shades of purple, blue, bronze, and green

Red eyes, and orange beak with which to preen

Seems it was the Creator’s delight

To make a humble rail a beautiful sight

Note: I found this Purple Gallinule along Anhinga Trail in Florida’s Everglades National Park. The bird’s striking beauty inspired me to photograph her ( no easy task as she was a lively lady) and pen a poem in her honor. The female distinction is for poetic convenience only. Male and female Purple Gallinules are similar in appearance.

Windy fall days portend night freezes

yet under gray clouds I will praise

each season’s turn as it pleases

for I’ve gone to graze

:

The meadow’s emerald hair

with tender sweetness vanishing

‘tis now my daily fare

while I stroll a-foraging

:

In the grove’s sequestered thicket

succulent berry scents rouse

amid a white-tailed market

supremely fit to browse

:

Soon I’ll sleep mid moonlit blue

in snow no longer thawing

then shoots of sassafras and yew

await my hungry gnawing

:

Note: I took these photos in late October along Skyline Drive in beautiful Shenandoah National Park.

The clouds held their breath

not daring to ripple hushed water

as blue velvet spilled across sky

and me.

The inky black of night

captured tall pine soldiers

and threatened to spread its void

deep within.

Yet a ribbon of promise

stretched wide and said,

“Hold my glory tight

‘til I return.”

I grasped for the pledge

of a dawn not seen

and vowed to treasure

the bonded word.

With its flame sequestered

in my heart and sealed by faith

I dared to turn and enter

another night.

Dear Readers,

Please forgive my absence. I’ve been away from Morningjoy’s Blog for some time. My rest is over and I’m happy to return with a fresh look and new content. I hope you enjoy it.

Karen

Ascend above with wings spread wide

Buoyed on air pillows safely glide

Challenge the wind to lift high

Turn and ride her ‘till eve is nigh

Each feather linked as one

Wheeling, turning beneath the sun

Streamlined master of the air

Formed of graceful beauty fair

Above the tremors of the ground

Mid skies of lofty blue you’re found

Oh Egret won’t you take me there

Where I can soar without a care

Note: I took this photo of a Great Egret at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida. The bird is wild and currently nesting at the zoo’s rookery. When I captured the this image, the egret had just left its  mate in search of an appropriate twig to add to their nest. Note the bird’s breeding dress of a green face and plumes folded over its legs in flight.

My wonder at the egret’s superb flying ability and my longing for such freedom formed the inspiration for this piece of poetry.

Black Skimmers Approaching a Tidal Flat

I found this “scoop” of skimmers on a sandbar in Snake Bight, a bay near Flamingo along Florida Bay’s northern coast. Flock after flock flew in from the south to congregate in this one spot.

Black Skimmers at Rest in Snake Bight

Occasionally one would startle causing the whole gathering to burst into a cacophony of barking cries and take wing. Then, in a concert of aerial ballet they would circle and re-alight in the same place.

Black Skimmers take Wing

Often the skimmers flew in perfect formation wheeling and performing hairpin turns in perfect sync. It truly was a wonder to behold.

Skimmer's Air Show

The skimmers made our visit to Snake Bight pure delight. The bay is large and other groups of birds could be seen in the distance. Hopefully, I’ll be able visit this hidden wonder of water, sky, and birds again before summer heat and mosquitoes descend.

At first, I couldn’t see their little faces. Then I remembered that the parent had been attracted by the clicking of my shutter and so I began shooting away. Sure enough, curiosity got the best of them and they looked down to see what was making all that noise. The baby on the left was most active while the owl on the right seemed to want to sleep.

After enduring all of our attention the owls moved to a more  secluded part of the tree. It seems that even baby owls are wise. I searched for the parents, but didn’t see them. Truth be known, they were probably watching us the whole time.