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| Diamond Willow Grove Exploring tarantula branches twine intermingle crawling across my face lightly like so many cobwebs waiting dappled light ripples the mossy creek bank looking for all the world like a downy quilt warming the roots of a diamond willow grove pausing eyes thirsty I drink in the rich greens and subtle sables that surround me a whispered breeze coos through the horsetail reeds music for the soul peaceful my toes in the warm plummy mud my only distraction is a small school of minnows darting silvery and silent daylight ebbs and golden sparks flit caught above the coursing water like so many dust motes spinning in the graceful sun Refreshed I retrace my path along the loamy trail pausing soaking my senses a picture to last forever or until I return again by Sheryl McCurdy |
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| OFF COLOR The brown of this winter matches my mood Dull and dreary and weary of Indian summer twice removed and no hint of Christmas white Peeling paint on the house is much easier to ignore When covered with sugary snow And so I long for the cool kiss of the wind to blow Storms to let loose and flatter the naked fields with a winter coat and Gentle the skeletal scratching of the bare maple on my window pane at night by Sheryl McCurdy |