Rising to the melancholy call 
of the early mourning dove, 
I watch the mist ascending across the river, 
reminisce of ancient spirits visiting 
from another place and time 
Breezes whisper among the trees 
the dry rustling of leaves 
murmuring quietly to one another, 
seemingly spectators without participation, 
standing aloft in their haughtiness 
Clouds on the horizon, red then pink 
reflecting within the radiance 
a spectrum of nature's beauty 
in a blaze of golden glory 
the rising sun encompasses all

I stand in awe.....

Golden shadows fill the sky, 
shimmering diamonds blazing 
on the gentle wave tipped water, 
mountains, shapeless in the mist

Alone I sit, contemplating, 
the sunrise brings a new day 
a sense of serenity, of peace 
fills my empty and weary soul

The longing for the unknown, 
the unrest, the discord, the discontent 
all is put to rest, joyfully 
I raise my face to the sun

Wandering along the overgrown path 
lost in the inky darkness, 
the traveler pauses wearily 
cursing the fates, the starless night 
Beyond, a cavern opening looms 
promise of shelter for the exhausted man, 
deceiving in it's barren hospitality 
misleading among the wavering shadows 
Entering the passageway, senses disoriented 
a faint glow beckons, glimmering 
the light almost in reach 
warmth sought, hopefully found

Deep within the cave's bowels 
a dreadful slithering is heard 
tail rattling, a slow death watch 
an unearthly, chilling sound 
At the corridor's end, she waits 
eerily beautiful of face, fair skin 
atop smoothly scaled body 
writhing serpent hair, entwining, hissing

Turning the corner, he stumbles upon her 
drawn by her unworldly beauty 
as he is repulsed by her hideousness, 
he steps forward slowly, powerless 
Flinching, he stares into her eyes 
molten gold, depthless, without soul; 
as he feels his body turning into stone, 
one lone tear glistens on her cheek

Reflection

The pine tree, gazing downward 
at it's magnified reflection 
in the placidly running water 
stretching as if to touch the surface 
Fish, iridescently gold and white, 
floating near the calm surface 
leaving a trail of silvery bubbles 
shimmering in their slow wake 
Bleached sand, contours outlined 
a pleasing shape to the eye, 
boulders on which to sit while 
contemplating the gentle beauty 
A moments pause, thoughtful, 
gathering all which is awry 
within the center of the soul 
finding a deep sense of tranquility

The ocean waves, pounding
with a resounding, thunderous beauty
splashing against the jagged rocks
relentless in magnificent splendor

White-tipped waves, ebbing in and out
eternally to an age old rhythm
that haunts the hidden memories
of creatures above and below the sea
all the golden sun rises over the horizon,

Drenching all within warming rays,
foam flecked pieces of driftwood
tossing about, decorating the sand
as only nature can in her creativity

Seagulls riding the upswept current
voices ruckus in the morning quiet,
sandpipers, walking stilt-legged
unhurried, among the clear tide pools

Head back, I breathe in deeply
the salt air, stinging yet invigorating,
as the tension releases
uncoiling deep inside, I find…

                     myself

I sit in my garden, gazing upon a beauty that cannot gaze upon itself.  And I find sufficient purpose for my day.  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

Gardens to attract hummingbirds are colorful and not hard to create. Hummingbirds like openings in forest and the edges of forests so they are drawn to suburban and rural gardens especially. If your garden has a mixture of shrubs, tall trees and patches of meadows and lawns, your garden is a perfect candidate. The one thing about hummingbirds is once they find your garden, they will they return each year. They’re a creature of habit and how many hummingbirds you have is in direct relation to how much food, water, nesting sites and perches are available.

 The plants you do choose have to be rich in nectar, the food hummingbirds love to eat. Some of the best plants for attracting hummingbirds are agastache, bee balm, red columbine, butterfly bush (can be invasive), cardinal vine, lantana, and delphinium. Hollyhocks are also a favorite, although they are considered a biennial.  There are also trees such as the flowering Quince, the Rose of Sharon, Turk’s cap and Wiegela which will attract hummingbirds to your garden.

To attract hummingbirds, there are some things you can do to make your garden more enticing. Gardens which are planted with plants that attract hummingbirds will attract more of them. Hummingbirds like vertical. Think of using trellises, garden sheds, or other structure to support climbing vines. Don’t plant exotic flowering plants which could be invasive. They prefer a tubular flower, especially in red, orange and pink. When you plant for hummingbirds, plant the plants in groups of three to give them a larger source of nectar in one place.

Hummingbirds also like fuzzy plants like the cinnamon fern, and pussy willows. They also like dandelion and thistles. These are all used for building nests. Hummingbirds also bathe in shallow water and will fly through garden misters, drip fountain devises and even small waterfalls. Large trees are often used for perches, for courting displays and for nesting. Hummingbirds also use lichen as a camouflage decoration. They attach it to the outside of their nest with spider silk.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while for your garden to be discovered. Once they do start though, they will continue throughout the season and usually return the following year. If visits do drop off, they may have found a new food source temporarily. Hummingbirds can be fun and interesting to watch. Plant some food sources for them and then sit back and wait for the show.

Crows

The flock of ebony crows
Stalking about on stick legs,
Outlined against the starkness
Of the icy frozen pasture

Startled, they take flight
Harsh cawing, as one voice
Wings flapping, ever circling
Riding the unseen air currents

Landing abruptly, heads bobbing
Gangly gait, disgruntled once again
Beady eyes peering suspiciously
At any stray unwary passerby