poem | wordsfromanneli

May 13, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 23 Comments

A Glimpse of May

Scotch broom is considered invasive because it crowds out other plants, but it provides shelter for many birds who can hide in its thick growth. Bees love it too.

It makes a background for puppy poses. Here is our springer spaniel, Ruby, when she was a pup.

The irises are having a little chin wag.

Miss Bossie runs the meetings.

Other members of the community listen in.

The columbines provide a slurpy snack for the hummingbirds, who then zoom off to spread the word that spring is really and truly here.

Precious first flowers

That bloomed after showers

Are chatting and preening all day.

Puppies roll over

As if they’re in clover,

Now spring has come, why don’t we play?

Hummingbirds sipping,

They fly away dipping

And buzzing, “Hurrah, now it’s May!”

April 19, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 37 Comments

Adventure Playground

Oh, my goodness! See that woodpile,

I’ll explore it quite a long while,

Please don’t stack it. Let it stay ’round,

It’s my own Adventure Playground.

Sweet the smell of new cut firewood,

Forest fir, a fragrance so good,

Freshens up my furry coating,

“I’m so special,” I’ll be gloating.

Now the truck has left at last,

I’ll explore and have a blast,

Careful though, the wood may slide,

And I could get stuck inside.

So much wood to climb up on,

I can duck in and be gone,

Just in case the heavens rained,

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

March 3, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 41 Comments

The Lion Roars

March will come in like a lion, but who told that lion to keep on roaring? Enough, already!

And here I thought yesterday was bad. It snowed all night and is still snowing. Poor little birds. I hope they can find shelter under the hedges and can survive on the birdseed and suet I’ve put out. The good thing is that under the hedges, they can find bare ground, possibly with a few bugs to supplement the birdseed.

The next danger for the birds comes from the cascades of thawing snow clumps as they slide off the trees and shrubs.

Lionlike, the snow moves in,

Though it’s March and springlike,

Swirling snowflakes drift and spin,

Leo acting kinglike.

Where’s my lambie, bringing warmth?

Cowering, I’m sure,

Waiting till the time is right,

Meanwhile, he’ll endure.

January 22, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 35 Comments

No Crowds for Me

Just when we got settled, away from the gun,

Along comes this dog, for an innocent run.

“He can’t catch us all,” says an old duck so wise,

“But what if it’s me and it means my demise?”

“Most likely it won’t be, so fear not,” I say,

“Fly up in the air if you’re chicken, and pray.

I plan to stay calm and not show him my fear.”

“In that case I’ll be brave beside you, my dear.”

But flying en masse is not what I prefer,

Wherever I turn, someone tries to deter

My flight path to safety, to freedom, and air.

I’m blocked by the crowds madly flapping up there.

Ah, this is more like it, with just a few friends,

We pick and we scrounge for a few odds and ends,

We don’t crash together in each other’s space,

A wonderful, so much more leisurely pace.

***** If you have spare time on your hands, why not visit my other blog, annelisplace.wordpress.com/

January 20, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 37 Comments

A Precious New Day

Photo by Pat Gerrie

Life, the continuous learning curve,

Gives us no warning of what it will serve.

All of us bumble and err on the way,

That’s why we cherish each precious new day.

January 16, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 50 Comments

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Air is cold, I’m shivering,

Legs so skinny, quivering,

Ants or beetles, if you’re near,

Eating you would bring me cheer.

Not much sap is dripping down,

Though I’ve drilled holes all around,

Maybe though, an ant will scurry,

Running off in such a hurry.

I’ve no chocolate to coat it,

Nature simply won’t promote it,

But the crunchy flavour’s good,

With a hint of fir tree wood.

Watch me skipping round the tree,

Eating ants and bugs with glee,

Little holes, the bark endures,

Graciously, my meal ensures.

I apologize for the background noise of dogs barking and garbage trucks backing up somewhere in the world outside my own little world.

January 8, 2024
by wordsfromanneli 49 Comments

A Cold Midnight Visit

Moans and groans that chill the bones,

Through the window stream,

Scents of icy northern zones,

Invade the sleeper’s dreams.

Cold unwelcome guest descends

On the huddled shape,

Shivering, the ice-ghost bends,

Whispers in her nape.

Who has paid the icy fare,

On these crystal flows,

Hitching rides on Arctic air,

Following their nose?

Walruses and polar bear,

Wolves and caribou,

Send their scent along the air,

Via Manitou.

Think of us, they sadly moan,

Swirling round the room,

Dream of us, for now you’ve known

Our cold nights and our gloom.

December 29, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 23 Comments

Hawkeye

The row of trees provides a perch,

For birds of prey whose sharp eyes search,

The flooded fields that are so fine,

For waterfowl who wish to dine.

The foggy drippy days drag on,

I ate a mouse, but now it’s gone,

It’s not enough to fill the gap,

Too cold and wet to take a nap.

These leafless trees don’t camouflage,

No chilly bones do they assuage,

Perhaps a meal of ducks is best,

But snatching one will be a test.

The watchful drakes stand on alert

While others forage in the dirt,

“Don’t bother wasting energy,”

They tell the hawk, “We’ll just fly free.”

December 26, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 36 Comments

Being Three

I posted this a few years ago, but I still love it. My niece’s son and his friend are hesitating at the brink of the rink.

Keep in mind that when you’re three years old … things look different.

Are the bundles of clothing your mom makes you wear bulkier and heavier when you’re three?

Is that ice more slippery when you’re three?

Is it harder to “be a man” when you’re three?

Does it take more guts be brave in front of your buddy when you’re three?

Is that skating rink a mile wider when you’re three?

Do bruises from falling on the ice hurt more when you’re three?

Is life more exciting every minute of the day when you’re three?

Yes, yes, YES!

***

Being three and at the rink,

Is way more daunting than you think,

My buddy came to skate with me,

My fear I will not let him see.

The ice is gleaming, threatening,

And yet there’s adults beckoning,

Do they not realize how quick

A boy can fall? Oh, I feel sick.

I’m sure my buddy feels the same,

We’re scared and brave, but don’t feel shame,

If I fall down, it’s no big deal,

My buddy knows just how I feel.

We contemplate, but soon you’ll see,

How brave we are, though only three.

December 24, 2023
by wordsfromanneli 35 Comments

Crispin’s Christmas Dinner

Hi, I’m Crispin.

Time for my Christmas dinner. I know that little seed in front of me doesn’t look like much, but there are more in the jar.

I’m just saying grace before I eat this special meal. See how I put my hands together to say grace? I don’t care for turkey so I’ll stick to sunflower seeds for this Christmas. All you turkeys out there, you can thank me later.