Deepest Violet

Deepest violet casts

A faint hue in the sky,

Just bare moments it lasts

'Til the morn lights my eye,

Bare dark purple brightens

Without shadow it seems to pour

Dribbling barest radience,

Morning's first gasp strengthens

Yet the moment lingers

As a clinging fragrance

A whispered promise

An untold secret

The first color of dawn

Persists all the day long.

Cast the shadows of time long

Shades of bare recollection,

Whispers of the mulling throng

Blend as the murmur of one,

Chant the tales of yesteryear

A chilling incantation,

The innermost soul can hear

Songs of the deeds that were done,

Canst thou the verse recollect,

Written when the world was young?

Pause now that you may reflect

Upon ballads heroes sung,

An internal history

Etched in spirit crystalline,

Look within your heart to see

The places we all have been.

Three More Gardens

As noted in the previous gardening entry, gardens can take many forms. In the photo to the left, three gardens are visible: the strawberry patch previously mentioned; an herb garden, and; a traditional vegetable garden. And further down the hill, out of view is something of a 'wild' garden where native vegetation grows.

The herb garden, in the next photo, is also a rock garden with a variety of plants. It's under development but may always remain in that state. There's a number of perennials in it like aromatic grasses, rosemary and mother of thyme. But there's some annuals too, like a culinary geranium with an orange flavor. It's not strictly for herbs, then again, there's really no strict definition of an herb. And as it is neither exclusively an herb or rock garden, so too might it be called a rain garden. Note that water drains directly onto a portion of it, while rainwater from the gutter fills a 'cascading' pond alongside it. It's very enjoyable to develop this, finding what works out and what look good.


The herb-rock-rain garden could get a lot bigger. Some drawings should probably be made first to experiment with ideas. The next garden pictured is for vegetables. It has a four-feet high fence because there are many critters in my neighborhood. There are deer, rabbits, squirrels, opossoms and woodchucks, at least.


The final photo (below) is of the 'wild' garden for native plants. Most of the plants came from seed obtained at a nearby prairie restoration area. It may take some time to engender the natural vegetation. Things that "just grow" at a location are not necessarily native to a particular region. Many plants were introduced when people first settled in an area. Some they brought along on purpose like favorite vegetables, others essentially hitched a ride. In this way, invasive species got a foothold to later flourish, because in the new environment had no natural predators. Invasive plants and animals tend to push out the native life, which not only disturbs natural aesthetics, but also upsets the balance of the ecosystem.

Moonbeam

Bedecked with misty shroud

The moon beams languidly,

Floating upon a cloud

Bright, sleepy eye spies me,

Flying above all night

Ruling the sky supreme,

Caught in her dreamy sight

We ride her crystal beam,

Temptress straddling the sky

Her bright eye opens wide,

Take my hand and we'll fly

Surfing the rising tide,

Tasty moondrops outpour

Tinged with earthly delights,

Glistening with l'amour

Feeling her tender bites,

Entranced, basking in silver

Feeling her subtle song,

Enchanted with fever

She begs all the night long,

Soon her full midnight stare

Will pour on us like cream,

Struck in her naked glare

Sprung from fountains of dream.

Arcing through nightly skies
Flaming languid passion,
Kissing stars as She flies
Fluttering in lunation,

Brightly feathered arching
Casting subtle shadows,
Seas and Earth hear Her sing
Burning in poems and prose,

Bards' quills wrought of Her plumes
Shedding mighty feathers,
Her monthly wing-beat looms
Raising the tides and waters,

Brimming liquid essence
Dolloping like a song,
Enchanting every sense
Her influence more than strong.

Magickal Blue

The new moon brightly broods

Her celestial horns piercing,

Tempting seductive moods

You almost hear her sing,

Wanton silver sliver

Through deep blue she eases,

An electric shiver

Lifts hair while it pleases,

Jewel hanging above

Shoots out moonbeams to ride,

Moondrops tasting of love

Warm dew for us to glide,

By her charms enraptured

Sweet Venus caresses,

While in her spell captured

The sunset obsesses,

Trees feel her light touching

Seas see her slender form,

Magick cast while watching

She gives back soft and warm.

Creative Gardens

Gardening brings up the greatest in us, even with creativity. People have probably tried different ways of growing food from time immemorial. Even today, everyday objects find their final use in growing things.

For the sandbox at the house I recently bought, I wanted a better use than a public commode for local strays. A few bags of soil and several strawberry plants later, plus stakes and netting, and I've got more strawberries than I can eat. I planted the "ever-bearing" type so I harvest them through the growing season. Because sandy soil is great for strawberries this application was ideal. Besides, the local kitties had already fertilized it. And the berries are easy to get to, being slightly elevated. Also there's four seats - no waiting.

Dwight David Eisenhower

Riding his military success all the way to the White House, Dwight Eisenhower's life was never paralleled. After West Point he rose rapidly through military ranks. With effective tactics and personnel skills as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II, he paved a track to become president. He enjoyed two very productive presidential terms with widespread approval. Yes, that is the word "enjoyed" with respect to a U.S. presidency.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-878052440403572221

General Eisenhower resigned his military commission to serve in the civilian postition of Commander-In-Chief. And as such, he was clear about the influences that drove America. His concerns were never more imperative than now, because they have never been addressed seriously. As an elder statesman, having only the interests of the U.S. in mind, he gave a stern warning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRtY

The Crash of 2008

The world has managed some recovery after capitalism attempted to devour itself last year. But those who led us down the path of their inevitable destruction are now the loudest whiners. We are discovering that it was worse than imagined; also the socialistic measures instituted were once again the saviour of the capitalists.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Politics/story?id=8233298&page=1
Predictable even by their own equations, the most greedy among us plunged the entire world to the brink of a labyrinthine abyss of depression. And those who represent the capitatists the most, who are the Republican Party of the United States, refuse to participate in the recovery. How often can history repeat itself without society learning? Apparently, ad naseum. The Republicans should sicken any person with merely a consciousness, perhaps even simply a pulse.

Of course we need people to take risks with their money to keep it circulating. But if they didn't and just hoarded it, what would it be worth? Who would want it? It is the duty capitalists owe to themselves to keep their money in circulation. And as everyone knows, labor is the source of all wealth. So, is it the duty of labor to bail out the capitalists when their excesses become brinksmanship? It's as big a racket as war itself. Also as everyone knows, war is the biggest tool for 'wealth creation' that capitalism has ever known. Some of our most credible military generals (including a president) warned of the military-industrial connection. LISTEN TO THEM

General Butler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_EXqJ8f-0

President Eisenhower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRtY