Ode to the Kentucky Coffee Tree

Kentucky runs in its sap
elevated up its straight trunk
nurturing in its sweetness and yet
tart as a poor substitute for coffee
under its protection, a
canopy over my head
keeping the sun out of my eyes
yet letting in the warmth I crave. its

coat holds a seed
only it won't let go
food for mastadons
finally releasing the trap
easing the need to reproduce, yet
everywhere I look the mastdons are gone

timeless in outliving its friends
rare even where most common
every time my friend when we meet
each tree unique in what it says to me

Ode to Nature

Native, yet some are carried by the wind and water
Animals and plants and things that don't fit
Translated by science, or are we only fooled?
Universal in meaning
Raw and untamed and unpredictable
Ever the beauty that I seek.

Everyday Beauty

A favorite thing I like to do is walk out on my deck and watch the colors of the sunset. They are nearly always beautiful here, sometimes stretching to span the whole sky. And I love to watch the colors deepen and then soften. What a wonderful way to remember each day. This is today's sunset photographed at 5:36pm.