Dahlias in a Green Vase
Near Summer’s End
Morning mist leaves the meadow,
as the rising sun creates
rainbow arcs in the fog.
A humid day concludes
in storms which sprinkle
the dry earth – a gift
from the clouds above.
At night, cooler air
reminds us that summer’s
end is nearly in sight.
Lainie Senechal
Pink Peonies
July’s Journey
July progresses, not quickly,
but with long, languid days
of hot, sweaty weather.
The pick of summer
for those that smile
at the sun’s strongest hours.
A smooth ride through a season
when the cornucopia opens
to provide juicy blueberries,
fresh dug new potatoes
and many ears of sweet corn.
Lainie Senechal
Tanabata Stars
Tanabata Stars*
Beyond the Summer Solstice,
on a calm evening, the stars
seem to blossom in the heavens,
accompanied by planets,
with their slowly turning moons,
and exploding supernovas
that surprise even the astronomers.
The lovely star, Vega, appears
with her bright partner, Altair,
forming two points
of the Summer Triangle
and spinning myths that
weave through the ages.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie will exhibit paintings and read poetry on July 6th at the Tanabata Festival at the Kaji Aso Studio, Boston, MA, 7-9pm. Free and open to the public.
*Tanabata is a Japanese Festival based on a legend that includes the stars Vega and Altair.
Clearing Sky
Spring’s Return
Sun salutes the morning sky
after days of solemn rain and mist.
Lawns, meadows and fields
are deep green and soft.
A flow of flowers decorate
newly budding trees.
Chipping sparrow chants
a singular staccato trill
while the cardinal croons
a run of sweet notes.
Spring’s return is rich
with color and song.
Lainie Senechal
Pink Azaleas
Fretful Spring
Blue skies are absent –
continual rain and gloom
shuffles spring season,
encourages wayward weeds.
Pewter lake lies languid and still
but perky goldfinches,
with white wing bars
like taut guitar strings,
perch on feeder and voice
their “potato-chip” objections
with each disturbance.
Below, forsythia blossoms mirror
birds’ bright yellow breasts.
Lainie Senechal
Pansies
Spring Breezes
Again, with warming breezes
daffodil blossoms pop open.
Their yellow trumpets shake
in strong spring winds.
Weather is quite fretful,
a frustrating tease.
Soon all will settle
with time to spend
soaking in season’s sun.
Lainie Senechal
Yellow Tulips
Wild March Winds
The wild March winds
slam feeder against the staff.
Squirrels scuffle below
to savor falling seeds.
In a moment of melancholy
one remember springs, now past –
whose times are missed.
A break in the weather,
return of sun’s warmth,
brings a smile as one steps
into the new season.
Lainie Senechal
Late Winter Lake
March Commences
As March’s month commences,
with a loud call from a cardinal
and lessening of winter winds,
one’s hopes jump quickly
into a new season – instead,
shocked by steady snow.
Spring seems far away
as winter’s weary trip continues.
No hurt comes from
weather’s constant vagrancies -
only a need for patience
and, in time, pleasant days
will again prevail.
Lainie Senechal
Amaryllis
Mid-February
The winds are cold –
near the fire
one feels warm.
Each night, twilight
settles more slowly.
Our thoughts turn
to the next season.
We search seed catalogs
for a summer treasure.
Winter winds may howl
with heavy storms,
but they no longer have
a hold on our hearts.
Lainie Senechal
White Pine
Pine Wind
Moonbeams enter windows
opened between bare branches.
Pine needles tremble
as compass points North
into wail of winter winds
from far Arctic snows.
Confusion of a warm autumn
settles in to a new rhythm
under faint and distant stars.
Lainie Senechal