Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Solitude in the Light




Mullein splits the night sky
catching the light as it flashes.
Nothing shines like this Mullein,
genus: Verbascum, alone.
Its yellow petals govern  
from atop downy, sage leaves
on the dark grass trail.
Family: figwort










Grass, solitary and tight
an interloper from the hay field.
Tall fescue 
stealing a spot meant for another.




Hot summer days
warm the friendly sprout.
It spreads its wings
and flies.
Festuca arundinacea,
with offspring
like the sons of Abraham
spread across the clearing.










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   Does it seem like I have been promoting these books? Yes, I have been. I have heard Julie Zickefoose give  a presentation with slides and stories of the tales told in these books. I own Letters from Eden and want to be sure anyone that loves nature, animals, birds and plants gets a chance to look at Ms. Zickefoose's artwork as well as read her stories.
Don't worry about buying the book, just be sure to take a moment to go to the link to see the watercolor paintings inside the cover.  If you do, be sure to keep looking until you see the painting of the baby turtles. If God, today, would let me choose a talent, I would choose to paint like Julie Zickefoose. 

12 comments:

MadSnapper said...

they are beautiful, whether they belong there or not.

Karen said...

What a neat perspective and dramatic photography. We take them for granted but they really are pretty.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I love seeing those big ole verbascums especially when the downy woodpeckers attack the blooms looking for bugs. I have tried to grow them in my garden. I couldn't get them started. I would probably be sorry but maybe not. I would give them a chance at 'civilization' if they would appreciate it. I think they don't like such rich soil as what is in my garden. I love Julie's books and art. I have not heard her except on NPR. I do have her "Eden" book. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Lisa, I think if you could find a less fertile spot for your mullein it would be nice. They are a biennial ad the first year they look like lamb's ear on steroids. I like them for their whole cycle.
nellie

John's Island said...

Hi Nellie, Just enjoyed looking at your recent posts. Looks like you had an excellent 4th, and what a nice fireworks display! Neat photos of the Red-bellied Woodpecker. And the groundhog ... wow, know what you mean when you said "glad this wasn't a grizzly." Thank you for sharing and also thanks for stopping by my blog and your kind comment. John

Unknown said...

Just love those solitary sprigs!! so gorgeous in their simplicity.

Mia said...

I wish I had an empty space in Garden, big enough for Verbascum. It's such a beautiful plant :)

Michelle said...

Beauty is often found in the simple things. I enjoyed this. We did post similar things. :)

TexWisGirl said...

laughing at your "who cooks for you?" i love their call...

and btw, my hubby cooks for me, except when he's out of town then i have to scrounge for myself... :)

young-eclectic-encounters said...

So glad to have found your delightful blog. Wonderful creative pictures plus information on the plants a wonderful combination.
Johnina :^A

TexWisGirl said...

(i wish you'd make your email public on your profile so i could respond to your questions that way - i'm gonna look like a weirdo coming back here and leaving random comments on your posts. :))

i think we have bur oaks here. the liveoaks have tinier leaves.

greggo said...

thanks for stopping by my post on xeriscape. you check out my post on the king kong mullien im growing. It's hugh.