NATURE POEMS

Here Comes The Shadow Of The Night
Alex Maniago (Reader's Contest Entry)

The sun with all its radiant hues
Is slowly settling down
While high above, the evening muse
Spreads her velvet gown

And as the last glimpse of the light
Silently fades away
Here comes the shadow of the night
Engulfing our way

A sense of doubt arise in me
When I beheld that sight
But whatever uncertainty
It brought; I have no fright

For darkness means a twist of fate
From what the day had been
An evening rest, my bed await
Within my Father's inn

Little Daffodils Spring From the Grass
Sue Fern (Reader's Contest Entry)

Little Daffodils Spring From The Grass
Red, yellow and a tinge of orange
The carpet of flowers bringing colour to my life
And I feel the summer's warmth melting my heart.

Near the oak tree the birds chirp a song
A song of blessing to those around
Little do we know, what the song means
But it touches our soul till we're tingling deep within.

I look around to admire God's creation
And wonder, how much time I took off a day
To sit in my garden and enjoy the breeze
The whispering flowers
The swishing of leaves
And the sunset that leaves swirls of blue and orange in the sky
Colouring the horizon
Colouring my garden.

The Owl Never Told Me
Rabecca Campbell (Reader's Contest Entry)

The owl never told me
of the things the whispers said
as they were carried by the wind
through the trees above my head

The squirrel never did tell me
of the things that he would see
as he watched the world from burrows
that he built up in the trees

But does that mean I never knew
the prompts of conscience in the breeze
or guessed the sights of wisdom
only tops of trees can see

I laughed all through the daylight hours
of truths I may have known
but the doubt I kept inside of me
kept them from being shown

I looked upon the wise man
and found him not so wise
as much as inspirational
and I cut him down to size

I know I am no better
in fact it makes me smile, that
those who keep their thoughts inside
are forever viewed as "child"

The sun peaks high in afternoon
then he slumps down and sighs
and flashes shadows on the ground
casts darkness to our eyes

Now awakes the owl
wise in all his years
spreads his wings upon the wind
that whispers in his ears

The squirrel returns to his burrows
high up in the trees
the branches bend and creak with time
he looks to the world and sees

The sun bows down his head in shame
his light begins to dim
the time is rainbow flavored clouds
as night time now begins

Horizon sinks and pin hole lights
of stars begin to shine
I smile a feeble smile and think
now this must be MY time

A perfect balance between worlds
between lightness and the dark
between the owl and the squirrel
for it is SUNSET IN THE PARK

Night Opera
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

Stars hold back night's curtain...
A strobe moon shines above...
On stage, a cricket chorus
belts out "Be My Love."

Stage left, the fireflies enter
Ablink with evening dew.
The night owls preen and huddle
waiting for their cue.

Gypsy moths and mayflies
perform the "Porchlight Fling."
In awe, the willows whisper,
appraising everything!

A far-off dog sings back-up
to the tomcat's plaintive tune...
When I attend the opera
from my porch swing every June.

Sea Hands
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

The clutching hands of Ocean
grab frantically at Beach.
They snatch at windswept sea-oats
just beyond their reach.

Spume claws hang on wildly
to the safety ledge of Shore
but those water-knucles loosen
and the Tides unroll once more

Those seahands scrawl a message
scratched in briney trails,
but the only thing I ever see
is Seashell fingernails!

The Hourglass
Dom Verity (Reader's Contest Entry)

The slyest of thieves,
It beckons and calls
With a changing face
And a hypnotic dance.

You believe what it says
Because why should it lie?
And that is its strength;
You always believe.

As you look it steals
As you believe it knows
And it watches
And continues to fall.

Its grin is reflected
In you, as you smile,
And leave your time
With the slyest of thieves.

A Tiny Speck of Sea Spray
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

A tiny speck of sea spray
skis down whitecap slopes.
It slips and slides
with joyous glides,
it rides the spume
between the tides.

Up it goes , and over
as high as it can reach,
then slalaams downhill
all the way,
then shushes on the beach.

The Wind Blew
Jennifer Carroll (Reader's Contest Entry--First Place)

His coat shines like gold, as bright as the sun
His mane billows out, like wind he can run
No man can catch him though many have tried
Chasing after, wanting a wild ride

The mares follow too, whinnying their fear
They fear for their colts while the men are near
Then the men leave, and they cuddle with them
The stallion watches as the world gets dim

As the stars come out he whinnies good night
He will stay awake, till mornings first light
Then off they'll be on their journey anew
They ran across the field as the wind blew

The Cloud
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

A fluffy piece of heaven
plays "hide-and-seek" on high.
Perched upon a steeple,
it peeks through azure sky.

It soars above the ocean
and lazes o'er the plains,
then swoops down like a whirlwind
and reaches for the rain.

It captures in its pillowcase
the rain and sunbeams, too;
With a playful roar of thunder
it dumps on me and you!

Sweet Octave
Robbie Le'Nepveu (Reader's Contest Entry)

A single breeze bypasses through leaves,
As I tally the stars that do settle above;
Leaning back in my marvel, an echo grieves,
Tis a bird of prey dubbed in sweet octave;
No matter of gender, as was hidden by sheaves,
For which type of sweetness would imitate dove;
Soundless throughout day, strident at days eve,
This lonely bird of prey, cries out the sweetest love;
Deserted as I, the cry conducts dear weaves,
And calls on a lover, bearing branch of olive;
As do I, the prey waits its echo to be received,
My only night company hushes as night is pensive;
Awake tomorrow maestro, and orchestrate your song,
For they are awake in the day, and bray no more nightlong

Leaf in the Wind
Dixie Curd (Reader's Contest Entry)

I used to be
A leaf in the wind,
Blowing and moving around.
But now I am
A growing tree,
With lots of leaves,
Swaying with the wind.

October Observer
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

A chilling wind whistles
Underneath
Thistles.
Up in a tree
Mistletoe
Nestles.

Sweet Octave
Robbie Le'Nepveu (Reader's Contest Entry)

A single breeze bypasses through leaves,
As I tally the stars that do settle above;
Leaning back in my marvel, an echo grieves,
Tis a bird of prey dubbed in sweet octave;
No matter of gender, as was hidden by sheaves,
For which type of sweetness would imitate dove;
Soundless throughout day, strident at days eve,
This lonely bird of prey, cries out the sweetest love;
Deserted as I, the cry conducts dear weaves,
And calls on a lover, bearing branch of olive;
As do I, the prey waits its echo to be received,
My only night company hushes as night is pensive;
Awake tomorrow maestro, and orchestrate your song,
For they are awake in the day, and bray no more nightlong

The Tortoise and the Monkey
Gemma Alderman (Reader's Contest Entry)

I am a tiny tortoise
I live inside my shell.
I eat green grass
and don't move fast
but I can do back flips as well.

You are a tiny tortoise
and you live inside your shell.
I'm a homeless monkey
Is there room for me as well?

I am a tiny tortoise
but as you are my friend
I'll try to make some room inside
I'm sure you'll fit in then.

Thank you for your offer
You are very kind indeed
Because you are always there to help
A monkey friend in need.

If you are too big to fit
and find it quite a struggle
We can always rent a flat together
and cause alot of trouble.

I'm afraid that I must decline
although a good idea, it sounds to me.
Because my friend I have to say
I'd much prefer a tree.

When you get so blinding drunk
you fall out of your tree
Remember that I am your friend
And will drive you to A&E.

And when i've come around again
and you are by my side
I'll think of all the funny times
we've spent together inside.
because you and I are friends long and true
and will be to the end
'cause nobody makes a better pal
than a tiny tortoise friend.

Dandelion Delight
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry--First Place)

There's a dandelion circus
a-tumblin' on my lawn...
Those leafy little acrobats
with yellow fright-wigs on!

They'll nod their heads and take a bow,
their performance won't take long-
'cause Wind, the breezy stagehand,
will sweep and they'll be gone!

Twilight
Gemma Alderman (Reader's Contest Entry)

Twilight.
The air is cold.
Soft shadows.
Bare branches dark
against the sky.

The Moon is Like the Icy Winter
Hana Strickling (Reader's Contest Entry)

The moon is like the icy winter,
Because of its silvery light.
The stars are like a warm summer night,
because of the peacfulness they bring.
The moon is like a wolf,
Fearsome yet beautiful.
The stars are like an owl,
Whose eyes twinkle like the heavens.

Night That's Slowly Coming
Justin Caldwell (Reader's Contest Entry)

Night that's slowly coming
Like a lion to it's prey
Silently creeping, devouring with darkness--
I'll always fear them both

Night Jewels
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

When I gaze at the midnight sky
it's diamonds that I see;
flung against Night's velvet cape,
they scatter endlessly.

Streamers stuck to Midnight's frock
are held by Moon's pearl pin...
It loosens every streak of dawn
and pulls the moonbeams in.

When I see Twilight's showcase
and perceive what God has wrought;
I know His jewels are finer, far,
than any ever bought.

Winter Morning
Tobias Treppmann (Reader's Contest Entry)

Winter morning
The streetlights burning
Despite the bright, blue, cloudless sky
The streets they are gloomy
and full of shadow and rime
People dressed black and blue
Hoping to be just in time
Wips of smoke fom the cars
Are dancing on the street
Everything else is frozen,
Static, unable to move
Not one single word spoken
A friendly hand hides in a glove
All animals seem to have died
Just two little birds still alive
In love following each other
on their winter-morning-flight

Spring Can't Come to the Phone Right Now . . .
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

Spring can't come to the phone right now...
She's flown to distant hills
to dabble speckles on a fawn
and fling out daisy spills.

When she re-mosses forest floors
and pulls back Winter's pall,
she'll batten down the daffodil
and then return your call!

To teach the wren her little song
will take an hour or two-
Striping birches lasts awhile,
so wait and she'll call you.

You'll know when April comes again -
She'll cause your heart to leap.
Just close your eyes and listen
to her message at the "beep".

Ebb
Femine Park (Reader's Contest Entry)

Waves from the harbour are lapping at my feet,
Absorbing the empty echoes around me.
Vast and distant is the water beyond the swaying masts.
Ebb has come like a silent thief,
Sweeping my thoughts out to sea.

Fir Tree
Judy Adams (Reader's Contest Entry)

Fir tree proudly stood there so graceful and strong.
His branches were fresh and green, fragrant and long!
They flowed just like arms to hug me as I stood
Staring up at the tip, thinking, "Oh, yes I could!"
I climbed to the top of his tall slender frame.
"He helped me!" I thought, 'cause his branches just came
Right under each foot, and he whispered my name
As his needles softly brushed my face.

Once up there, I knew that this would be my place
To relax and get out of the mad daily race!
I found a nice spot to recline and compare
The life of a fir tree with what was out there.

It was pleasant and cool even in the day's heat.
his aroma! It was heavenly! Spicy and sweet!
All this from a tree that had stood there so long,
Waiting for someone like me to belong
to him! No one else - not a mere tag - along!

And I loved the old fir tree

Who held me above.
I hugged him so tight - we were happy! Carefree!
I knew his favorite was no other but me.
I visited him very often until
I grew up and moved away, wondering still
How my old friend was faring alone.

I forgot all about that old fir tree, I left
The memories behind, now my heart was bereft
Of things to remind me, from our quiet time.

So many children! Ex husbands! And life!
Taking its toll, giving nothing but strife!

years later it came! A moment to ponder!
And suddenly I felt a pull from way yonder!
I drove 90 miles to visit my tree
To ask him, "Was that you, tree? Beckoning me?"

I saw him from my car, he knew I was there!
I walked over to him but could not reach where
I could touch him, because the grwound was a big hole
With construction, bulldozers, and general dole.

My old friend was grieving - and telling me now,
that he was dying, ans would see the plow
Soon, tearing him down, making way for a new
Neighborhood project.

I knew it was true.

We said our goodbyes and I turned tearfully
Walking towards the car, far away from my tree.
I felt his emotion, too.

How could that be?

Maybe the whole time, it had all come from me?

It's Springtime in New England
Leonard J. Bourret (Reader's Contest Entry)

Winter ice takes its time,
cracking through the
glacial sublime.
Snow disappears from every
crevice, and frees up the
fresh-water lakes, and the
golden ponds.
Spring displays a terra
firma sign.
Dormant trees begin to bud,
leaves and flowers start to
unfurl, and our excited
spirits soar and whirl.
On panoramic mountain views
we?ll climb, and hike on
scented trails of pine,
tasting the flavor of New
England, and enjoying its
spirit-filled Spring mime.

Clean Sweep
Charlotte Partin (Reader's Contest Entry)

The midnight sky spills moonbeam crumbs
upon the ocean?s floor;
then Breaker brooms sweep them beneath
the sand-filled rug of shore.

October Days
Carolyn Head (Reader's Contest Entry)

October days! How nature shouts,
so many ways
With bundled sheaves and rustling leaves,
in splendid blaze.

O, what sights! What nippy nights,
harbingers of change soon
To come, with frosty bites,
shivery delights, and harvest moon.

Winter will march on! A howling, blustery,
mountain king,
Scattering furry ones, scampering,
gathering quondam glean.

Pond and lake with icy sheen-
unlikely resting place,
For airborne tenacities and dancing
dervish lacy flakes.

The Flight of Time
Priya Anton (Reader's Contest Entry)

Faintly flow, thou falling river,
Like a dream that dies away,
Down to ocean gliding ever,
Keep thy calm, unruffled way.

Time with such a silent motion,
Floats along on wings of air,
To eternity?s dark ocean,
Burying all its treasures there.

Roses bloom, then they wither,
Cheeks are bright, they fade and die,
Shapes of light are wafted thither,
Then like visions, hurry by.

Quick as clouds at evening driven,
O?er the many coloured west.
Years are bearing us to Heaven.
Home of happiness and rest!

The Mountains Run Along the West
Drew Carver-Peterson (Reader's Contest Entry)

The mountains run along the West,
The rivers whisper as they flow,
The valleys are green down beneath,
The waterfalls crash as they go.

The rainforests? roofs are quite tall,
The lakes are incredibly wide,
The hills are glowing as they roam,
The plateaus have no place to hide.

Labor Day
Chris Johnson (Reader's Contest Entry)

the ocean called for me
this morning
her wet hands longing
and desperate
collapsing on the
shore
her voice
still sweetly hushed
though tinged now
with loss
as she gasped
her last breath
of Summer
wishing
another sun
would tan
her spiked back
with sequin
necklaces

eager for
attachment
she spread
her webbed fingers
surrounding me
imprisoning
my ankles
will me closer
her tongues
a friendly dog
her kisses
kind gestures of
affection
her sadness
wordless and
warm
begging
as she was
for me to stay
if just
a moment?s reward
the final
remains
of a
fairy-tale
that was
but I
could only offer
my footprints
as they made
their way
one final time
back over
the dunes

The Stalker
Chris Johnson (Reader's Contest Entry)

My pup assumes a ?tough-guy? pose
and sniffs the prey with speckled nose.
He crouches down and slowly creeps -
inch by inch - before he leaps.
Around the flower bush he swaggers,
his beady eyes are shooting daggers.
He springs with wrath and fury, then . . .
that butterfly escapes again!

Listen With Me
Wayne Snow (Reader's Contest Entry)

Listen with me to the wondering stream,
That bubbles and flows to the sea.
Hear the faint song of wind through leaves,
As it drifts from tree to tree.

See the light of the moon on the meadow,
Through clouds hanging low in the sky,
Casting shadows on field and pasture,
Lighting creatures there where they lie.

These wondrous things I must show you,
Let your eyes feast on all that you see.
Let the colors and sounds surround you,
And when you see them again think of me.

Dreams of Paradise
Sarah Hamilton (Reader's Contest Entry)

Where the land meets the sky
Where the butterflies flutter and fly
Crystal waves brush my feet
And I am awakened by life so sweet

My eyes take in this paradise
I feel the weather, warm and nice
I never want to leave this perfect place
Where the breeze will forever touch my face

I feel I could life, I feel I could fly
Forever and ever into the sky
Feeling a burst of love of being away
From the worries of today

This place, this feeling that I experience and see
Is replaced by my bedroom, and the regular me
It was all a dream, a fantastic wish
Oh, I cry to see it go, to see it vanish.