i could write
or watch a ballgame
or work on a project
but it’s October
and every evening
my backyard is lit
in brilliant yellows
and reds
and colors that defy description
another sunset
and another tomorrow
except that’s not true
stop
take it in
because it’s a gift
and it’s ephemeral
copyright 2016, joseph e bird
copyright 2016, joseph e bird
Actually, no, it’s not Canada. This is the Cranberry Glades in West Virginia. They say that eons ago a glacier created a geographic and climactic anomaly in the high mountains of Pocahontas County. As a result, plant and animal species are found farther south than conventional wisdom would suggest. There are, in fact, cranberries growing in the bog, but if you’re expecting those two guys in hip waders surrounded by thousands of red berries, you’re going to be disappointed. Still, the scenery in this area is spectacular.
And watch out for bears.
copyright 2016, joseph e bird
Many of you who stop by here for a word or two are from this area (West Virginia) or near enough to be familiar with the locale. Some of you visit from lands far away. This occurred to my friend, fellow writer, and neighbor a few doors down, Larry Ellis, and he has written a nice little essay about our neck of the woods. You might enjoy getting to know this area through his words and photos. If so, click here and jump on over to his site.
the road glistens from last night’s rain
trees still dripping
the deck boards soft and brown
she looks out across the fields
let’s go to town
might as well, he says
it’s too wet to plow
.
steady patters in the gutter
birds talk across the yards
leaves lie resting, brown and shiny
he slides the eggs on the plate
today we should rest
she sips her tea and nods
the work can wait
.
the rain light and steady
as the pan in the corner catches
the occasional drop through the roof
he nibbles on flatbread and drinks warm water
a crow stands at the open door
he tosses a crumb
the bird plucks it from the ground
and flies away
copyright 2016, joseph e bird
I just returned from a trip with my family to the mountains, and yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the reunion of my wife’s family. The following was inspired by those two events.
Point of clarification: the cornbread, as well as all of the food, was outstanding.
there’s a fly on the cornbread
and bees in the tea
the chicken’s getting cold
but it don’t matter
the wind has a chill
the sun ain’t been shining
it’s looking like rain
but it don’t matter
.
photographs on paper
memories that are leaving
we talk about what we knew
and laugh with little grieving
we share a cup of coffee
make plans for our tomorrow
we bring our families with us
and know that love will follow
.
weary from the journey
too tired to do the hike
we just want to sit a spell
but it don’t matter
we tell the same old stories
and add some new ones, too
the conversation is light
but it don’t matter
.
photographs on paper
memories that are leaving
we talk about what we knew
and laugh with little grieving
we share a cup of coffee
make plans for our tomorrow
we bring our families with us
and know that love will follow
.
a brother or an uncle
a sister or an aunt
it’s hard to keep them straight
but it don’t matter
be it birth or be it marriage
they bring us in the fold
to share the food and time together
cause that’s what really matters
.
photographs on paper
memories that are leaving
we talk about what we knew
and laugh with little grieving
we share a cup of coffee
make plans for our tomorrow
we bring our families with us
and know that love will follow
copyright 2016, joseph e bird
Joseph E Bird 