mowing less
letting it grow out on the edge
aspens, spruce, and baby maples
shoot up above the long grass
makings of a mini-forest
volunteer flowers
that have floated seeds
on a breeze
grow with the wild trout lilies
a few fallen logs
dragged into the furthest shadows
damp and rotting slow
a perfect salamander home
oh this wild edge
I love wild yards - habitat for so many small critters. The best are yards knee-high with wildflowers. Smiles. I love the mini forest you are tending.
ReplyDeleteReally, this is one of your best works. A metaphor: when you let nature be natural you are allowing yourself to be you--to be as wild as aspens reaching the sky. Been reading lately about Japan, including their concept of nature and how, unlike the west, the Japanese mind doesn't separate man from nature. This poem reminded me of that.
ReplyDeletehttps://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-aesthetic-harmony-of-japanese-nature/
If I could paint, I would illustrate the stunningly wild edge your poem describes. I love everything about it, particularly the "volunteer flowers". What a stunning thought.
ReplyDeleteOh, how gorgeous! Now I am yearning to know what 'wild trout lilies' are. Lovely to see you at P&SU again, Brother Ollie.
ReplyDeleteI have been drawn to wildlife gardens since I was a wee lass ... the English know how to do it! I have missed your name, good to see it again.
ReplyDeleteI like the visuals that emerge from your words that show how nature spontaneously wants to bloom and grow.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Bro. I too liked the wild, grew up with a creek a quarter mile away that I played near it, on the other side Dad had a registered wild life reserve on a border triangle of the property. I don't know if the new owners saved that or plowed under all the native grass.
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Love the wild edge. Growing up, we called it "the Lot Line". At one time we had a fort in a tree and all the wildness of the "edge" surrounded us. Love this poem.
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteLove your wild garden....hope you are keeping well Ollie !
ReplyDeleteOh yes, sometimes less is better. Mother Nature will take care of things.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful
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