Firework flower,
raspberry red,
scented like sage,
holds up its head.
Eastern Black
Swallowtail,
wide wings still,
visits without fail.
Like autumn me and
the apple tree,
fruit plump and red,
far as I can see.
Copyright 2017 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: One thing we all have in common, whatever our color, class or location: we have to eat and drink. If we stop to add up our similarities, they far outnumber our differences. I’m in the land of lizards and palmetto bugs today, getting ready for a day of filing and organizing for a sick relative. For a few moments of sunrise, I wanted to think about the ways we are all the same.
Happy Poetry Friday and thanks to Jone at Check it Out for hosting. Wish her congratulations because she has had photographs selected for a juried show at the Oregon State Fair.
Sooo lovely poem.. and the image is so nice too. Well done:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Mom loved her bee balm plants, she likes the variety of plants and roses in the memory care garden. We had my two brothers (the 3 R’s) plus Mom and Micah spending time off and on over the weekend. 🌻🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like fun. We are work, work, work around here for the foreseeable future.
LikeLike
I imagine work is important for good grades. I’m sure they read books and practiced their instruments this summer, so no worries really. 📚 🎻
LikeLike
I love the rhythm of your magical poem. What an amazing photo too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I love bee balm, and the butterflies do, too. 🙂
LikeLike
A lovely piece, Brenda! It’s definitely pretty enough to keep the pall meadows at bay! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It should make me remember summer even as the snow flies.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SWEET AS HONEY’S HEALING!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an incredible photo and poem. Looking for common ground We need more of that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jone.
LikeLike
Love your Firework flower! The entire poem sounds like summer to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Matt. Still summer here. 🙂
LikeLike
Sharing the butterfly love. One of the most entrancing places I’ve visited was the Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary, with a flutter of vibrant colour and beauty. Far North Qld has the Ulysses Blue (exquisite!) and Birdwing (gorgeous!) – and to see so many set against the lush green foliage – and us! – was just lovely.
LikeLike
I wish I could see them, too. Sounds beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poem and that photo is stunning. I saw just such a butterfly on a walk this morning–along with a deer and four turkeys–but didn’t get my camera out in time to capture it. I have also been wanting to dwell on the ways we are the same these days. Despite our differences, we have so much more in common.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love walking, and I’d love to see a deer and four turkeys. Another thing we have in common. 🙂
LikeLike
I wish we had more butterflies. They’ve become really scarce over the past few years. I was tickled pink to see two Monarchs on Wednesday. I would have been tickled to see even one! Safe journeys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve only seen one Monarch and this one Eastern Black Swallowtail. I also saw one Tiger Swallowtail. They used to be more common. It’s sad.
LikeLike
Thank you for the black swallowtail and poem. It’s crazy. I’ve raised 3 caterpillars to adulthood, but those are the only 3 adult black swallowtails I’ve seen all summer long. It’s more than crazy. It feels downright ominous…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve only seen a couple. It is ominous. Congrats to you on your three.
LikeLike
What a nice thought to imagine you writing in the dawn about this beautiful flower and the swallowtail having its breakfast, just like us! Wishing you good times helping your relative, a nice thing, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All true. We plowed through 4 years of un-filed paperwork for a couple that has terrible health problems. Their office was a series of teetering stacks of opened and unopened mail dating back to 2014. Took days of work. Whew. I never want to face an office like that again.
LikeLike
I’m a fan of bee balm… and your poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Buffy!
LikeLike
Simply gorgeous….the firework flower that tastes of raspberry and the stunning black swallowtail. It’s such a moment of summer that I’ll bet if I look back on this in February I’ll feel warm and smile. Beautiful poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I write more in summer than any other season. I love the way it makes me feel, and the way the colors give me energy.
LikeLike
Did you take that photo, Brenda? It is stunning! And then the beginning of your poem, just draws me in. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did take the photo, while I was out walking with my daughter. The butterfly only stopped for a second, that’s why it’s a tiny bit blurry.
LikeLike
Sounds like you are doing good work today, Brenda. Thanks for sharing such a warm sentiment with us in your photo/poem/post today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tabatha. I need a light, sweet one to balance out the way the news makes me feel.
LikeLike
Very nice – I like the bit you added at the end, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Food is a great connector. 🙂 I could go for a donut. I bet the shop would be full of coffee lovers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photo is wonderful, as is your accompanying poem. I especially like your focus on searching for “commonalities.” That is so important right now in so many ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Molly. I agree.
LikeLike
Food is such a wonderful commonality – I remember volunteering for a newcomer’s welcoming society, and any activity or discussion around food and cooking was a sure hit, because we all love to share food with the people we love.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, food is a great connector. I remember people around the food we share. My grandmother’s sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper. My stepmother’s candied baked beans. My best friend’s cinnamon and sugar toast.
LikeLike
As simple as cinnamon and sugar toast is to make, my mother made the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No way, it was my best friend! LOL
LikeLike
Oh, just lovely, Brenda. And so true – all around.
That land you speak of sounds like mine – it also describes where I grew up, Florida. Are you down South here somewhere?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The desert in CA. Hot as the dickens, as my gran would say.
LikeLike
Ahhh. The other side of the country. But lizards and palmetto bugs galore there, too?! Thoughts and prayers for your family member – you are a good soul to help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robyn. Yes, lizards and palmetto bugs get around, apparently. Feeling shorter from doing all that paperwork. One more day, and then my part is done.
LikeLike
i love how you fit in with the landscape – we are all one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beth. Glad you agree.
LikeLike
Brava.. 🥀🥀🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Nice pairing of a pleasing poem with a beautiful, meaningful, and authentic photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Beautiful!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Militant Negroâ„¢.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poem and photo. Jolly nice of you to help your sick relative. It must be a great collection of bugs and sorts☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, lots of new bugs to marvel over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy “de-bugging” and a great weekend ahead 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL You, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photo! We have had more butterflies than the norm and they are so peaceful to watch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish we had more. 🙂 Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike