The Apples in My Orchard

Driving to work, I have the immense pleasure of passing by an expanse of the Mississippi River.  My first poem was inspired by these trips in the last few weeks. Most people know of my affinity for the Monarch Butterfly that spans almost two decades. But, when I first came to Wisconsin, I learned of another Butterfly – The Karner Blue – that has an amazing recovery story in our state, where it finds home in our remnant sand prairie habitats. And, my last poem is about the Bur Oak Tree, which I only recently have come to appreciate! Enjoy! These are my submissions to Poetry Friday, hosted this week by:  Live Your Poem.

The Great Muddy Comes Alive

A famous, flowing river, frozen still.

Silent, non-moving, but intimidating your will.

Power, temporarily stalled, while ice

blocks surface currents from the rushed swirling

that calls fragments to move.

One Spring Day in March, open spots magically appear.

Birds, no Eagles, a dozen or more dot the surface

of the still firm frozen shelf near the flowing water’s edge.

Further down, Pelicans float and Tundra Swans swim.

The Great Muddy welcomes spring and moves again.

Another Butterfly

Oh, Karner Blue!

Where are You?

Knowing you might be near,

I filled my gardens with the Wild Blue Lupine

you hold so dear.

A tiny specimen of Lepidoptera, elusive to even

those who would like to see

you flitting and

fluttering in the sea of purple blooms.

Another butterfly dependent on one plant with

disappearing habitat unless you know where it’s at.

Sand Prairie Remnants are calling you home,

Oh, Karner Blue, don’t be alone!

The Lone Bur Oak

Stately Magistrate of Midwestern Byways

the massive bur oak signals strength

from its wide furrowed trunk to the

craggy, twisted black branched arms reaching out

into the blue sky, against a snowy white blanket.

Easy to recognize, this native father.