FEATHERED
ANGELS
Softly, lightly they come
Gliding, gently floating
Cool breezes brush past wings
Fashioned by nature
To blend with life
To give life, to warm life.
Feathers hued and nestled to
perfection
Fan the air in whispered waves
Each wave brings closeness
To sky or to earth.
Each night, tucked into natures’
foliage
For protection, for peace,
for sleep
To gain strength, courage
And hope for a new day.
Each dawn singing praises to
the sky
Calling us to listen to simplicity
and clarity
Asking us to share the joy
of natures’ peacefulness
It is all there.
Let Feathered Angels lead
our minds and our hearts.
A
STROLL THROUGH AUTUMN
The changing leaves signal
the arrival of autumn
Gorgeous shades of red, orange,
yellow, and brown
Remind me of the pleasures
at hand.
Briskly walking in the crisp
air, crunching leaves beneath my feet
Fall energizes me as no other
season can.
The air is filled with the
woodsy smell
Of the season’s first fireside
gatherings.
Breathing deeply brings a
sense of comfort and well being.
Animals’ coats thicken to insulate
them
Against the coming winter
chill.
Summer birds take wing, while
winter birds arrive
To take up residence for the
mild winter.
Plants slow their growth to
store energy
For shorter days and cooler
nights.
Spring bulbs lie dormant beneath
the soil.
Roadside pumpkin stands display
hay bales and colored corn
To welcome and encourage happy
wanderers
To stroll through the maze
of pumpkins.
The foods of autumn bring about
fond memories.
Crisp juicy red apples, warm
pumpkin pie
Mixed nuts in pretty wooden
bowls
Waiting to be cracked and
eaten.
Hot spicy cider and hot chocolate
Tantalize the nose and awaken
the taste buds.
The sky seems bluer this time
of year
And extra stars seem to dot
the night-time sky.
The mountains show a more
defined silhouette
As the sun settles behind
them.
The sea waves take on a darker
and colder appearance
As the ocean temperature starts
to drop.
The changing season is a time
of reflection and appreciation
Of nature, of our lives, and
of those we love.
RAIN
Beads of liquid crystal
Tiny life forces borne in
silence
Their purpose planned
Their journey swift
Sweet melody of nature
The earth sighs
The world is quenched.
AFTERNOON
SONG
A subtle breeze touches the
long silver tubes
Awakening each wind chime
in joyful harmony.
All who hear are treated to
the mystically soothing tones
All who see are witness to
the tiny light flashes
Reflected as the sun warms
the slender chimes.
The song swells and ebbs as
breezes come and go
Leaving the air filled with
hymns of peace.
SPOTTED
FROGGIE
Spotted froggie on the pond
Dreaming of the world beyond.
What’s it like out on the
land
Or held securely in a child’s
small hand?
So far this pond has been my
home
I’ve never ventured out alone
What would I do to fill my
day?
My friends would not be there
to play.
Would it be safe to sleep at
night?
Would scary sounds create
a fright?
Would daylight bring a nice,
new friend?
Or, would I, alone wait for
day to end?
This pond looks better all
the time
I eat, and sleep, and croak
sublime.
Each day is peaceful, joyful
fun
Cool clean water, warm toasty
sun.
I think I’ll stay right here
at home
That way I’ll never be alone.
Amid my family, home, and
friends
A happy life that never ends.
CLOUDS
Cottony cradles rocking
Slowly through the sky.
Angelic forms gliding
On heavenly paths.
Soft wisps
High above the earth
Passing in a silent ballet.
FRIENDLY
ENCOUNTERS
Among those things I call "a
friend"
Are natures’ gifts, on which
I depend.
A wagging tail
A slow-paced snail.
A cat’s meow
A lowing cow.
A whooping crane
A horse’s mane.
A butterfly wing
A fairy ring.
A raven’s caw
A fuzzy black paw.
All these things and so much
more,
Gain friends, gain love,
Get out, explore.
WINTER
WANDERINGS
Gazing eastward to the pinkish
red glow
Fogging the window with my
breath’s hearty blow.
Frosty rooftops gleam down
the way
Give us hope of a clear, crisp
day.
The longer the nights, the
shorter the days
Cause blossoms to stretch
to the sun’s sweet rays.
Birds line the wires, looking
pudgy and full
After feeding on seeds, leaving
only the hull.
Mid-day showers quench flowers’
sweet faces
Reaching the foliage in high
and low places.
Rain clouds blow over to uncover
the sun
Children jumping through puddles,
laughing in fun.
The sun travels westward and
shadows grow long
The songbird sits silent,
he’s finished his song.
Dusk settles in as a chill
fills the air
Aromas from kitchens send
trails everywhere.
Evenings in winter can be cloudy
or clear
Or blustery, indicating a
storm is quite near.
Silvery moonbeams through leafless
trees play
Forming shadows along the
walkway.
When night steals in and brings
all to rest
Relax, cuddle up, this is
winter at its best.
FOG
Tendrils of swirling white
mist
Reaching far into the night.
Feel the cool, damp blanket
of comfort, or
The breathless, strangled
embrace of oppression.
All becomes an invisible part
Of the misty realm.
The world is diminished
To the space of a breath.
We seem of no consequence
Keep the faith.
Spirits will rise again
Along with the fog.
HAROLD
Perched on the wire, eyes alert.
Watching the kitchen window
Waiting for a face to appear.
There she is! She sees me!
She turns and heads for the
back door.
I can hardly wait!
The back door opens and out
she comes.
Always a smile and a "Hello
Harold"
She thinks I’m beautiful and
smart.
I love her for that
And for what she holds in
her hand.
My treasured peanut!
CREATURES
OF GOD
Animals bring to us a love
not found in (the) humankind.
Theirs is a love of unspoken
warmth, companionship, and tenderness.
Theirs is an unconditional
love, born out of trust and loyalty.
All creatures in nature are
created from God’s love
And formed in His true delight.
Each has a special place in
the cycle of life.
Whether fur, feather, quill,
scale, skin, or hide,
Their existence is essential
to the balance and continuation
Of harmony in our universe.
The comfort we receive from
earthly creatures is soulful,
And at times heavenly.
The bond between animals and
humans is one not easily broken.
Even in death,
Beloved animals stir love,
comfort, and fond memories.
We learn so much from the simple
lives and love of animals
Let us always remember to
hold them firmly in our love,
As they hold us firmly in
their trust.
FLOWERS
Looking to heaven in silence
Yet speaking volumes
In fragrance and color.
Praising their Creator
With glorious radiance
In thanks
For their perfect creation
PROMISE
OF SPRING
The earth, warmed by longer
days and gentle rain
Has once again given birth
to the promise of spring.
Bulbs stretching into tender
shoots
Now reach to the heavens for
light and strength.
An aura of sensitivity reigns
in the garden
As each flower whispers its
magic of color and fragrance.
Breezes play melodies of light
on petals
Each note calling to birds,
bees, and lady bugs to linger awhile
Drink in the nectar and radiance
of spring.
Thrill to the silhouette, hue,
and aroma
Each bloom brings forth.
Under the moonlit cover of
darkness
Frogs and crickets nestle
in
To serenade the garden until
the coming of dawn.
And, as the sun awakens the
morning dew
While smiling down on the
earth,
Feel the serenity and joy
of nature’s palette
As it satisfies the senses
and nourishes the soul.
SKY
My true blue friend
I awaken to your splendor
And am sheltered beneath you.
When you are hidden away
Sadness enters my heart.
When once again you appear
I smile.
My beautiful vision in blue.
GREAT
PACIFIC
Oh great Pacific, I stand before
you in awe
Your command for respect leaves
me vigilant, yet
Your magnificence beckons
me.
Searching your depth and breadth
For answers to heavenly thoughts
Is too difficult for this
mortal soul.
As impossible as counting the
grains of sand on the shore
Is the task of grasping your
greatness.
Amid this ever changing world,
you remain a constant
Your swells reaching skyward
Then plummeting with untold
weight
To your darkened depths
Salty foam rolling in with
the tide, retreating again
To your vast blue-green bosom.
Shimmers of light dance atop
your wave tips
Salty spray drifts to me,
sweetly stinging my cheeks
Closing my eyes, my other
senses become heightened.
Aware of your essence in touch,
sound, sight, and smell
Brings me close to my place
in the universe.
Oh great Pacific, you make
me feel an integral part
Of this whole world.
A
Sense of Nature © 1995 Ann Winter
Santa Barbara, California
USA
Photo credit Ann Winter; San Marcos Gardens, Santa Barbara, California
