Retrospective

There, within a shrub, song sparrows built their bower

well-hidden chest high framed with good twig bones

lined with pine needles to weave a soft cup

in what seemed half a dryad’s discarded bra

upturned when the shrub was cut to its roots

between two fine maples from sapling shoots.

Strewn seeds sprout and if not stepped on flower

Wood hyacinths prosper in wild succession

then columbines campanulas poppies acanthus

sedums and salvia oregano and thyme.

Hummingbirds disputed montbretia and fuchsia

bees bumbled among alliums

strawberries were picked daily now they are gone

raspberries and blueberries have come on

Dick Russell © Richard M. Russell

                   2024