Butterfly

Fairy of the flowers
with wings of spun glass,
you flit about the grass
and land on my hand.

Small pearls hang in poplars,
honeysuckle perfumes a breeze,
the swallowtail zigzagging--
fairy of the flowers.

Drinking the marigold's mystery,
there are jewels on your body,
you flutter in the air
with wings like spun glass.

When wild strawberries droop
on the woodland trail,
and the rain crow lifts songs,
you flit about the grass.

In shimmering robes of silk
that catch the sunlight,
you fold your wings
and land on my hand.
                       --Brenda Kay Ledford

ODE TO THE IRIS

You march into May
splashing rainbows on roadbanks,
an emblem of kings;
you outrank the rose.

Clouds float like angels
over fields of wildflowers,
taking your place at spring;
you march into May.

Lifting your face to the sun,
a Monarch butterfly sips nectar
from the crystal fountain
splashing rainbows on roadbanks.

On the heels of tulips,
the iris stands as a sentinel,
keeps time with the drumbeat;
an emblem of kings.

A time to everything,
the mourning dove cooing;
with majesty you flare out
and outrank the rose.
             --Brenda Kay Ledford

Recovery

Roses perfume the mountain air,
God sends ministering angels
to light our path;
and help my mama heal.

God sends ministering angels
to lift our faltering spirits,
and help my mama heal.
Let us hide our thorns in roses.

To lift our faltering spirits,
teaching Mama to walk again;
let us hide our thorns in roses.
Sunshine breaks through the clouds.

Nurses disguised as angels
to light our path,
therapists filled with God's love;
roses perfume the mountain air.
             --Brenda Kay Ledford

Mama fell on March 7, 2015 and broke her hip.  She had surgery the next day and was in the hospital a month.  Now the Mountain Nursing Service is providing nurses and therapists to care for her at my home.  She's responding well and using a walker.  We are very pleased with the excellent service this agency is giving. 

I would appreciate very much your keeping Mama in your prayers as she recovers.

Also, I wish all my blogger friends a very Happy Mother's Day.

Renewal

April stirs sleeping roots,
pink azaleas dot the hillsides;
she whispers in the woods,
life bursting from earth's tomb.

Pink azaleas dot the hillsides,
sap flows through veins;
life bursting from earth's tomb,
dogwoods wear white crosses.

Sap flows through veins,
the valley glowing with verdant grass;
life bursting from earth's tomb,
a symphony of song birds.

Tulips splash rainbows on lawns,
she whispers in the woods,
renewal of the soul,
April stirs sleeping roots.
              --Brenda Kay Ledford

I hope all my blogger friends are enjoying this beautiful spring.  I think this spring is about the most marvelous we've ever had here in western North Carolina.

SPRING! SPRING! SPRING!

SPRING HAIKU

Early spring morning,
raindrops glitter on the poplars,
lupines sprinkle hillsides.

Wearing orange-striped vests,
cups open to drink sunshine,
a rainbow of tulips.

Snow twirls on breeze,
hundreds of apple blossoms
tossing petals to the earth.

Easter cantata,
robins perform in the hills,
daffodils dancing.
                  --Brenda Kay Ledford

Welcome Spring!

I hope all my blogger friends will have a beautiful and splendid spring.  I'm so glad to see spring again.  It gives me hope that "all things work together for the good to those who love God and called to Him."  We indeed serve a living Lord!  Amen!

Frozen Fairyland

The rising sun paints
the snow-capped mountains
with broad brush strokes,
pink and purple shades.

Under the veils of lace,
white silence fills the hills.
Walking through the forest,
footsteps crunch snow.

A cardinal rustles
powder from the pines,
berries frozen on holly;
winter carves ice sculptures

on Hyatt-Mill Creek.
Three deer appear,
icicles dazzle on roofs,
wood smoke curving heavenward.
                  --Brenda Kay Ledford

Valentine's Day

LONG LASTING LOVE CANDY

1 package of strong faith
2 cups patience
1/4 cup gratitude
3/4 cup respect
2/3 responsibility
1 can kindness
2 teaspoons compromise
8 gallons of love

You may freeze the Long Lasting Love Candy for a century, pull it out as needed.
By;  Brenda Kay Ledford

A recent research shows that saying thank you when your mate does something nice such as taking out the trash, creates feelings of happiness that can make a relationship go the distance.

Dan Hollifield and wife, Patricia, share advise for a happy marriage:
"Compromise," said Dan.  "There's never been a marriage where you agree all the time."

"You must be best friends," said Patricia.

I wish all my blogger friends a very Happy Valentine's Day!