Dorothea Barth
Prose and Poetry

by Dorothea Barth Copyright 2008

Though camouflaging with the floating log,
Reptilian roundness cannot quite disguise,
As morning rays break through the morning fog,
Two traveling turtles sun and socialize;

Devoted ducks seek comfort from beyond,
Alight upon the unassuming ark,
Suspended in the sleepy greenlit pond,
Suffused with algae in a golden park;

Now silver feathers, watchful wings alight,
A solitary heron’s sweeping surge,
Logbound toward a favored landing site,
Claims from the fleeing ducks their precious perch;

At noon no sunning birds afloat remain,
A transformed log, a seven-turtle train!

by Dorothea Barth Copyright 2008

The waterfront too wonderful among
The gulls, the geese, the seals, the boats at play
To ruminate on choices gone awrong
Events that might have turned some other way;

What discipline evaded, chances flown,
What work undone, what minutes yet remain,
What spirit undiscovered, love unsown,
What hampers moments’ rise anew again?

A white bird lands, round ripples emanate,
The patterns softly spreading undisturbed,
Cascading feathers standing unafraid,
The circles ever widening yet unheard;

We both were still the moment that we met
At once the churning R fell from regret

Tickets yet have I to ride and write,
No aerial assaults today, I plead
He smiled and said no birds have come to smite
It is the pinecones spilling forth their seed.

Such wondrous orchestration from a tree
A drum roll for our labors so inspired,
While guaranteeing proud longevity
Not biotech but pure biology.

May seeds and starlings dance in harmony,
And starlings cease their trespass onto me.

by Dorothea Barth Copyright 2008

Mosaic altar, I am told, will change
As revelry with thirst and sun combines
And wedding guests their sentiments arrange
To vineyard fountain pouring forth blush wines;

Defeated dragonfly to ants immune
Love’s triumph is the message of this day
My bow is taut, my violin in tune
My stage arranged to keep the heat away

Grand estate whose master wears an air
Of jovial server, lecherous intents,
Clandestine sighs for maidens young and fair
Whose sweet ensemble to the bride attends.

To clean this home her days are occupied,
Tonight, instead, a glorious, gleeful bride.

Perplexed, uncomprehending I beheld
My chalice standing empty without fruit
Its procreative destiny rebelled
Amidst its hollow echoes questions root:

O chalice, how to fill you to the brim!
Would you prefer a different type of brew?
Archetype of all that’s feminine,
I’d heed your predilections if I knew;

“Serene,” I think, is all the chalice said
‘Twas then that music flowed, a wondrous note,
And verse and prose converged within my head
Until the chalice nearly overflowed;

A simple chalice, filled with liquid pure
Reminds me of my contemplative cure

by Dorothea Barth Copyright  2008

Note from the Author: The following is not a nature sonnet! A Sonnet for Your Signature is one of my "Cubicle Sonnets," written for corporate/technical  writers frustrated by stalled documents.  If you can relate to this dilemma, purchase a signed copy of A Sonnet for Your Signature and hang it prominently in your cubicle! It will bring a laugh and possibly  a signature--well worth the investment!

Your signature is sought if you so please
Renewed am I and beg your kind concern
I joyfully anticipate release
Unless it’s found that I have more to learn.

Though many eyes have viewed my countenance
From redline draft to final polished work,
No rest have I, nor am I free to dance,
I beg your blessing, lest I go berserk.

It’s on the Floor that I am most inspired
A helpmate in a healing mystery,
Revealed by minds that daily strive untired
It’s biotech that puts the life in me.

And if my words the facts do not convey,
Correct me first, then send me on my way!