| Disappearing Florida I'd wake to the smell of orange blossoms blooming, Dream 'neath the bowers of jasmine wrapped pines. Spend time in the jungles of spiny palmettos Or walking white sands where blue bays met sublime. Reflect on the softness of mourning dove's warnings, Feel every hoot that each Horned Owl would bare - Stir when the call of the Night Jars would whisper But was moved most by notes that the Mockingbirds shared. Palm trees would dance o'er the heads of hibiscus, Azaleas would sway 'neath the arms of oak trees. Grey beards would drape from whatever they clung to As the music of wind floated free with each breeze. Into each season came thunder and lightening, Warm winds of change brought a new slant of view. Still always a green world surrounded by flowers That sipped all the breath from each drop of dew. Slowly my world would expand and enlighten, All that I loved ebbed and flowed like the sea. Though fortune befell me, I felt quite impoverished As each swell of progress brought soul poverty. Over the years I've clung to the notion That natural of nature moves spirit to sigh. And still hear the song of the Mockingbird's glory As he sings from his heart of those days passing by. Joy A. Burki-Watson |
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