dry grass
no ride on
just a slasher
hard yakka
no need to go to a gym
here in snake haven
cactus and succulents
in a garden
which looks after itself
no roses and tulips
no sound of water fountains
or basho's frog
plopping into a pond
just olive and peppercorn trees
in the driest continent on earth
a testament to botanical resilience
determined to survive
the hardy butter bush
grows in gravel
along abandoned railway tracks
city folk call it a weed
i call it a miracle
Wednesday Muse # 8
I call it a miracle as well. You have brought my attention this dry planet. I had not realized how very dry. I call the cacti and succulents miracles as well.
ReplyDeleteA miracle indeed, how tree life has the tenacity to survive dry and unlikely locations. I see it here, too, where trees grow out of fissures in rock cliffs.
ReplyDeleteI love that butter bush. It shouts out life.
ReplyDeleteA miracle indeed! It is so different than my mountain - but I admire the strength and textures
ReplyDeleteYour words bring attention to beauty in thorny patches of brown sea. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteAnother poem in the Poetry Pantry that reminds me that there is another side to the seasons in another part of the world, particularly with the dry grass, slasher and snakes! I like the expression ‘hard yakka’. I also love the contrast of the ‘cactus and succulents / in a garden / which looks after itself’ with my overgrown garden, which is completely green. I love the ‘testament to botanical resilience determined to survive’ and the miracle of the hardy butter bush.
ReplyDeleteI love natural grasses and untamed gardens. Your butter bush looks like our Scotch broom, which is an invasive species, growing along our roadways. I love its cheerful yellow.
ReplyDeleteThat last stanza is magic. We need to open our eyes to the beauty of everyday miracles.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought it amazing how plants can grow in the most unlikely environment. It goes to show there is beauty everywhere.
ReplyDeletePS - I think I would do a lot of aerobic jumping to avoid snakes.
Another lovely collection. I remember Basho's frog (lol!)
ReplyDeleteMiracles happen--both in nature and on the page--beautiful write!
ReplyDeleteYes, a miracle. And a poem that does it justice.
ReplyDeleteOh, you live in snake haven too! Isn't it great?!
ReplyDeleteCareful Rall we don't want an influx of migrants so you need to mention all the nasty snakes, sharks and insects that enjoy attacking us.
ReplyDeleteI love your reference to Basho's frog...so clever. It's good to get a different perspective on the growth habits of other locations. Not is all lush, greenery like here in sub-tropical Florida.
ReplyDeleteplants will outlive humans. period.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that butter bush!❤️ Marvelous writing!
ReplyDeleteSo many variations in weather patterns around the world...plants know something about it all!
ReplyDelete