blossoms - stone #11

I've really slipped with these daily observations.  Somehow it becomes harder to go back to them once you have a missed a day, then two days etc.

However, I think it's best just to keep going, not to be too critical with yourself and then to start the practice again.  The sun will always rise.

blossoms - stone #11

sunlit pink blossoms
playing in the wind
*

sweet leaves - stone #10

evening softness, street lights glowing pink-orange
sound of a tram in the distance - 'ding ding'
sweet leaves rustling & a cup of Tulsi tea in my hands

paperbark - stone #9

driving along the motorway, I glance to the left and see mountains in the distance, vibrant green wetlands in the foreground, and trees gently blowing in the breeze.  the light over the mountains is blue from the gum trees that stake out this part of the world, with their paperbark fluttering and singing.

Lichen - stone #8

outside the front door
lichen on a palm tree

years ago i learnt that lichen
is a signifier of clean air
so I breathe in
and out

washing up - stone #7

washing up curry pots
listening to Massive Attack
a gecko worrying the walls

Sunset - stone #6

After the storm, the sky is the colour of marmalade. 

The sun has split open, staining the clouds.

Flying foxes awake from their slumber and their graceful black shapes begin to punctuate the thick evening light. 

Lorikeets - stone #5

Lazy Sunday afternoon - falling asleep in the garden
rainbow lorikeets and myna birds ping-ponging in the trees
the sun is heavy and hot in the sky

Dragonflies - stone #4

iridescent scarlet dragonflies hum around outside, looking for mates.
a black lizard darts across the path.
the leaves of a palm tree rustle in the hot breeze.

Currumbin Alley - stone #3

in the warm sea, a man is teaching his two children to surf.  they lie on tiny surfboards in their wetsuits.

as he pushes them into the waves, he shouts - go right! stand up!

i catch a wave into shore then jump off my board. little brown fishes dart around my feet in the shallow clear water.

Cicadas - stone #2

invisible cicadas drone in the trees.
the heat is incessant, thick like a heavy coat.
momentarily the drone stops, then starts again.

today i carry the sense of something ending.
but lizards still skim around,
and flowers bloom on the red orchid tree.