Misty River (Pictures)

[Karen]

Last summer's blossoms, frozen and still
Covered with dew that catches the spring light
And gives them one last touch of beauty
As winter relinquishes its hold on the land

Stems starkly silhouetted against
The mist-covered clouded air
Seem more substantial
Than the frail husks of seasons past
They have appeared all winter,
Mournfully fragile against the bitter ice and snow

The stark sun, sharp enough
To shine through mist and rain
Lights every dead seed husk,
Every fragile corpse of leaf,
Every blade of grasses past
Into sparking gems for one last, brief
Glorious moment

Look, traveler, and marvel at the fleeting beauty
Of winter's death in the northern climes

[Karen]

Beware, walkers unaware, take heed
Beyond this grass, this near remnant
Of long-dead grass and bare crooked limbs
Broken branches black against the dim air
Lie demons, and ghosts of past regrets
Lurking beyond the edge of civilization
Just out of grasp but close enough
To hear them whisper if you are still
Sorrow keens in the mist
And the low hum of murmured lost potential
Call your darkest self, and every doubt looms large
Do not linger
Do not listen
Do not breathe in too deeply
This melancholy air and fog-shadows
Turn back
Lest you be forever lost
Beyond the edges of time
Forever chasing ghosts
You truly do not want to meet

*****
Lest I leave you all glum:

Nothing warms the heart like
A hot cup of tea and memories of old stories
Laughingly shared around a warm kitchen table
The smiles and grins eclipsing any fog outside
Pull up a chair, I'll get you a mug.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Absolutely amazing pictures!!!!

[lizbud]

Beware, walkers unaware, take heed
Beyond this grass, this near remnant
Of long-dead grass and bare crooked limbs
Broken branches black against the dim air
Lie demons, and ghosts of past regrets
Lurking beyond the edge of civilization
Just out of grasp but close enough
To hear them whisper if you are still
Sorrow keens in the mist
And the low hum of murmured lost potential
Call your darkest self, and every doubt looms large
Do not linger
Do not listen
Do not breathe in too deeply
This melancholy air and fog-shadows
Turn back
Lest you be forever lost
Beyond the edges of time
Forever chasing ghosts
You truly do not want to meet

*****

Whoooooo, scary.

[Kirsten]

Whoooooo, scary.

Scary indeed, but so well written!

Thanks, Karen!

[Karen]

Scary indeed, but so well written!

Thanks, Karen!

You're welcome! You know I love your photos, and writing for them! We should so compile a book sometime!

[robinh]

Absolutely stunning!

[momcat]

Oh Kirsten, what can I say? You never disappoint us with your awesome photography! I absolutely love these kinds of places, mountains, forests, wooded areas and the like so I have to thank you for a pleasant mini-vacation. And thank you so very much for sharing your works of art with us.

Lovies to Lily and Luna