Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
Over the brambles The Swamp Rose lures me closer Fingers hooked by thorns A Haiku by Mark The Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 7 feet tall and is native to the eastern United States. As the name suggests, this plant prefers moist, acidic soil. The Swamp Rose... Continue Reading →
Have you ever wondered what role birds have played in American literature? Well it turns out, quite a lot. That is why the Library of America, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting, publishing, and providing readers with opportunities to engage in American writing, is hosting an online conversation with Olivia Gentile, poet Sidney... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week I posted about Honeysuckles and the importance of pollinator gardens. In that post, I wrote a haiku that mentioned the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Well, as it turns out the Monarch butterfly might have been a perfect fit for my haiku, but it wasn't what I was seeing. I was actually watching... Continue Reading →
Lilacs, besides being truly beautiful plants to look at, have their roots firmly planted in human history through poetry and literature.
An apple tree bloomsOn a forgotten road Time has passed us by It is said that New England established its first cultivated apple orchard in 1623. The location of the orchard was Beacon Hill in Massachusetts. The apple that was grown was called The Baldwin. Apple trees soon became a staple of the New England... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Tending the garden Caring for the young flowers Jump back! Happy toad. I am always excited to see the first toads of the season and the Eastern American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) is the type of toad that I encounter the most. Eastern American Toad These toads are between 2.5 and 3 inches... Continue Reading →
How many, many things They call to mind These cherry blossoms! ~Matsuo Basho Japan-Guide.com In Basho's home country of Japan there are over one hundred varieties of cherry trees. The most popular cherry tree in Japan is known as Somei Yoshino. The Somei Yoshino was heavily cultivated in Tokyo during the Edo Period, which is... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Early morning dewGathers in the unkept grassA snail emerges Snails are classified as gastropod mollusks. What this means that they are part of the larger mollusk phylum which includes snails, slugs, mussels, and octopuses. The more specific class gastropod, or gastropoda, narrows this group to snails and slugs. Gastropods either have a univalve... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: From the distant treesA melodic musicalA winter wren song I had recently heard a friend describe the Winter Wren song as the electric guitar solo of the bird world. I think that is a good description of their cascading, bubbly song that last anywhere between 5 - 10 seconds. Click the link below... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Rain taps the tin roofDroplets reflect the gray skyThe dove pecks the ground As I continue on my journey of nature connection, the sit spot practice remains a constant. Sometimes the red squirrels and the dark-eyed juncos come to visit, sometimes I sit alone. Sometimes there is a lot happening, and sometimes it... Continue Reading →
