Beyond the Concrete of My Front Porch
Beyond the Concrete
I. My Front Porch
The tree intertwines
parts of itself fixed in braid
from soft soil to leaf.
Sitting very still
like the shrub that claims its home
near my front walk way.
Attached to the thorn
a small succulent cactus
holding pure water.
See a glimpse of lake
feel a chill in the lake breeze
make each footstep count.
We followed a pier
outward to the middle lake
to hear the loot splash.
II. Into the Yard
Clay pots, dried remains
folded upon the topsoil
where there is new seed.
The color change starts
from the top of each tall tree
to ancient clay pots.
Different length of blade
mixed with their different growth rates
determine grass breed.
In need of transplant
the plant has outgrown its pot
beginning to wilt.
Put on winter boots
to run and jump in puddles
no worries around.
III. To Dream
Through water shortage
trees collect the dew in leaves
before heat of day.
Overgrown lush vines
climb quickly to reach the sky
from the roots upward.
I ponder these names
of all the greenery here
and flowering weeds.
Near the swampy ground
are the weeds with sharpest thorns
to stick and cause pain.
IV. Of Driving Away
Valley always ends
its high desert sagebrush reach
at granite foothills.
Around the hairpin
curve the pine turns to valley
eyes to horizon.
Struggle through dried lakes
barren salt flats with black rock
eyes to horizon.
Roads carved in the earth
mountains silent monuments
await our warm breath.
Swept into canyons
heterogeneous red rock
a lone pinion pine.
Move from flat to tall
from mundane to majestic
prairie grass to pine.
V. Continue to Drive
Miles of pastel plains
peppered sporadic black rock
used to spell ones name.
To find mountaintops
that still hold winters white snow
till the weather warms.
After miles of grains
mountains fill the horizon
pushing pine to sky.
Through dense underbrush
where the small animals go
travel my desires.
VI. A New Porch to Call Home
Alongside rivers
a route through the Aspen groves
moving water crests.
Journey into miles
of these vast pine land valleys
to walk and never return.
Where old stump decays
termites find a new homeland
slowly back to earth.
To reexamine
the many needs of my souls
pine tree canopy.
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Jamie, it is wonderful to see you posting more often here on TCE. And I so enjoy your works on nature. Are those photos taken by you? They are beautiful. May you find peace and enlightenment within your soul. Many blessings and hugs to you, dear friend.
Phyllis they are not my photographs, I borrowed from the available archive. Thank you for reading. I have been writing I lot of Haiku recently and I am excited to share. I hope you are well. Jamie
I felt like I was taking a long journey through the most beautiful parts of the natural world – what a front porch view you have indeed….thanks for sharing!
This was a great nature walk with amazing imagery in each line. Nice work Jamie. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Jamie, I love you haiku collected into longer poems and the nature theme is a joy to read. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by for a read and leaving a kind comment. Jamie