Like tongues of flame
Like tongues of flame
the poinsettia
soars upward to greet the sun.
A joyous call from a redwing
rings across the wintry day.
Shadows play over the mountain
in hues of rich purple and green,
while a dove circles down
on outspread wings
to perch
on the tallest pine.
Flamingo clouds
Flamingo clouds drifting across the sky
fleeting as birds flitting over a hill.
Beauty so transient
as to catch one’s breath
Too soon dull grey masses
of nimbus chase
those crimson streamers
from their place.