PORCH PONDERINGS

3 things

I spent the last few days in Billings. There was a writing workshop at Pictograph Cave, a state park. Alas, all the ancient writings have disappeared, but the wonderful natural caves and the views of the surround countryside remain. I needed to take a break from my home, my town, my routine. And it worked, I pray.

Then tonight when walking back and forth from the post office, I see a trio of reaffirming images.
1. An Amish buggy pulled by a tan horse, two passengers, trotting down Main Street. A hearty wave from the 'driver' and from me.
2. The most wonderful yard in town. Planted yearly with geraniums, hydrangeas and the most glorious dracaena in planters. The yard is immaculately manicured.
3. A sign by a front door - 'Ring the bell. Win a dog.' I had to laugh at that one. We have a door mat from our previous dog. 'Ring the bell and let me sing you the song of my people.' And her name at the bottom. Bonnie. I cannot bear to throw it away.

Here is the poem I created at the park. Perhaps it will appear in my portfolio. It celebrates a nearby natural area, the equinox coming in a few days, and the wonder of nature.

Poem written at a writer’s workshop at Pictograph Cave state park on 9-20-25

Four Dances

N - S - E - W

Winds gather

Winds off stones of Yellow river

Converge at rims of rocks

Swirling - whirling - sometimes twirling

Taking air from top to bottom

Pushing rats from their lair

Into a ghost cave

Into a picture cave

Into our mind’s snare

Celebrating the atmosphere - the aero-sphere - that is all around us
Celebrating the equinox - the equal day and night
Celebrating the rest of summer’s abundance