Prompt 11 – My Permaculture Forest

Image by Tim Foster

 

In the heart of suburbia, a hidden gem lies. It’s an ordinary backyard, but when you step into it, it transforms into a miniature forest of wonder and harmony. A permaculture garden unlike any other.

Upon entering, you’re greeted by a lush canopy of fruit trees, their branches intertwining like old friends sharing secrets. These trees are not just trees; they are the guardians of this woodland, offering shade and sustenance to all who dwell here. A chorus of birdsong fills the air, as feathered inhabitants flit from branch to branch, creating a symphony of life.

The forest floor is a rich tapestry of colors and textures. Wildflowers of all shapes and sizes peek out from among the perennial herbs, creating a vibrant mosaic. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are drawn to this floral banquet, performing their delicate ballet, ensuring the garden’s abundant harvest.

Meandering pathways wind through this enchanting landscape, inviting you to explore further. As you walk, you’ll notice carefully placed rocks and logs, not just for decoration, but also for their role in retaining moisture, providing homes for beneficial insects, and contributing to the garden’s ecosystem.

In the heart of it all, a tranquil pond mirrors the sky above and provides a haven for frogs and dragonflies. It’s a microcosm of life, where water lilies bloom and tadpoles dart through the clear waters.

This permaculture garden is more than just a garden; it’s a testament to the intricate dance of nature and human ingenuity. It shows that within the confines of a suburban backyard, a harmonious forest ecosystem can thrive, where every element plays a part, and nothing goes to waste. It’s a place where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and where the connection between people and the land is rekindled in a beautiful, sustainable symphony.

Antoinette LeRoux © 2023

Categories

Braggadocio, heartbreak, ennui
waxing sentimental about a tree–
how many genres are there?
Inject an emotion-
proper pulse
meter and rhythm and rhyming and all that crap too probably
(for those who care)
A new artistic renaissance
– but more futurey and junk –
it’s on the horizon if you survive the war!
[LIKE] & [SUBSCRIBE]

Extraordinarily Ordinary

A soul among the people

An existence of one in billions

A lone one by the streets, in the parks, or perhaps a steeple

Not entirely acknowledged from the seen by millions

One, a single soul

Ordinary, living day by day

They have their dreams, thoughts, and specific goal

And they don’t realize how much they compare to the sun’s ray

A single soul, extraordinarily being

They don’t believe so, unfortunately

Yet here the world is, their little accomplishments it’s seeing

The people have been harsh lately

But it’s okay

Because one day

This single soul will see that they’re extraordinary

In a world of ordinary

His majesty

A fairly tall guy,

with a heap sensation.

Smiled at dry amusement.

Maybe he’s a dad; a terrible dilemma.

He got himself just desert.

His eyes were blurred secretly,

Taken hollowness of promises,

unlike his promise,

She promised to keep her promise.

Maybe it was mere highfalutin,

Maybe he’s among the serpents.

Hour 11–I’d do it All Over Again

 

a delight when we came upon wooden paths

Nature showing off All Her Beauty

Summoning us through an arch of trees alit

by early morning light

we come across

a circle of deer startled and standing still

when they saw us emerge from the road

mamas with fawns

with big brown eyes

cuter than Bambi

a circle of mushrooms

in the morning dew

a folklore fairy ring

evidence that

magic exists

my eyes cast downward

looking for rock hearts

the tangible evidence

of Divine Creator

 

we continue to walk hand and hand

on that path they always talk about—

the one least travelled

 

we gambled almost thirty years ago

married young

statistics stacked against us

at times rocky paths then

ending in smooth valleys

this is what magic

this is you and me

 

(for my college sweetheart I married May17, 1995 when I was nineteen and he was twenty one  each without a family joined together to bring forth our own that became complete with Natalia Grace eighteen years ago )

 

 

Hour 10 “3’rd Wednesday Of The Month…”

Hour 10

9/2/2023

 

Yeah is THAT time!

 

“3’rd Wednesday Of The Month…”

 

Is it?  It IS!  cool,

took long enough this month –

21 flipping days …sigh.

 

Gather lists …checked weekly flyers today

electronically clipped any coupons of possible use

(though ya KNOW ya can’t – but is what

“possibles” bags are for)…yesterday.

 

Need gas – damn, higher this week – but ya can’t walk,

too old – too far – and CARRY?? sheesh.

Cut something out… yeah, something.

 

Milk, eggs, bread – storebrand; ya save

over what you used to get –

but that was last month

…nickel and dime ya to death.

“Just one direction anymore …up.”

 

Veggies – lettuce salad – still got Ranch…

2 – Oh…1 tomato – Roma, will have to do.

Potatoes …a pack of 4 – maybe add a small bag of rice

– that can work.

2 lemons CAN’T cost that much…

sigh, yeah they do… one then – C’Mon, make do.

Green beans look good this time – nah,

storebrand cans yeppers…

leaves enough for some beets

– something different…

 

Deli – no real deals,

but I can look and remember

– is still allowed.

pre-packaged has a sale…

I can splurge if I trade… “Go for it!”

 

Dairy – quart vs half-gallon, mix it with dry

an ya can barely taste the dif

– well, if its cold or in something.

Butter is on sale! No, no – gotta trade,

one pound margarine – it spreads thinner, will do.

Coupon for the store cheese! Oh yeas!

 

Meat – deal on Bacon,

leaves enough for a roll of Ground Beef

(damn if I’ll eat those damned BUGS!).

Whole Amish chicken is a better deal than pack of parts…

well, I Do have knives!

 

Shelves – 2 lb bag of short grain rice,

canned veggies,

damn, even soup is up again…

1.89 WITH the coupon.

“How in the world does my neighbor feed

her hubby and her two kids and THEIR two kids,

and a hubby too!”

 

Check out:  don’t do self serve

– forgot a loaf of bread last month,

would’ve thought I was a Bank Robber!

– I just missed it, got lost following the screen.

Ya know – Touch Screens don’t always work

for some of us – anyways…

I know I’m slow but at least I try

– people in lines can be so …mean.

 

“Was an extra ten this time.”

Register lady just softly nodded…

I’ll deal, ya have too, winters comin’.

 

Chris

(C) Chris Twyford 9/2/2023

Condiment Hilarity

The salt and pepper shakers

I bought at the Tucson Goodwill

are fire-engine red

and match my placemats perfectly,

 

but while filling them

with the requisite condiments

late at night, I put salt

 

in the pepper shaker,

and vice versa.

 

Now I have a funny prank,

like a hand buzzer,

a rubber spider,

or an exploding golf ball.

 

Someone always likes salt

more than they like pepper,

or the other way around.

 

I can hardly wait

to invite guests over,

and have them join in the fun.

Too bad I don’t have many friends.

 

7 something

The long ride  takes its toll
Three rows back
There is a man who should have stayed home
His tissues tell me so
And the snot coming out of his nose
I remember why I don’t take the bus anymore

eleven: Burn

Burn

Long seconds
Own heartbeat thunder
Drowned out by hyperventilation
After toppled garbage can
And a light,
Motion sensitive,
Blinks alive

Wait… waiting

No apparent witness
“City quiet” not too quiet
To blend in
And get into it
Climb dumpster
With a world of
weight in head
Powered by rebellion
Reach service ladder
With chrome-and-sky blueprint
For billboard destination
Carrying aerosol weapons
For culture wars

Opening

 

 

Tim Foster

 

Opening

 

I stroll down the path, the

dark green forest envelopes me.

Cool, leafy trees shade me

from the burning rays of the sun.

All is serene, not an insect or

animal intrudes on my space.

I am lost in my thoughts, like an

automaton place one foot in front of another.

Out of nowhere I come upon a break in the trees

where sunlight penetrates my eyes.

I blink and my dream state is broken

like a dry twig in a strong wind.

Insects of all shapes and sizes flit and

buzz in the warm sunlight.

I follow the path through the opening

my senses aware of my surroundings.

I push through the cloud of insects and

re-enter the tree covered path.

Quickly my mind returns to the idle musings

I had before entering the opening.

I return to that automatous state.