A Surprise Visitor

5/7/2024

Hello, blog friends.

I've another tanka to share, inspired by poet Colleen Chesebro. She invites bloggers to focus on the beginning of summer as it manifests in our home area. I live in Northern Arizona, and the area is alive with signs of new life. My poem attempts to capture that magic.

The hedge of Lady Banks roses in the photo below lines the path where I walk every day. The surprise this weekend was spotting the Poplar Sphinx moth. She heralds summer and new beginnings - and for me hope. It's been a trying week with family emergencies, but the sun is shining now. All will be well. And, because of that, I'll have time to visit your sites.

I hope you have a wonderful week. Stay well and laugh much! 😊

37 Comments

Luanne link

5/7/2024 08:00:45

Gwen, this is so lovely. I love how you use the word nativity.

Gwen M. Plano

5/7/2024 10:54:17

You've brightened the day, Luanne. Thank you. 🌞

Liz Gauffreau link

5/8/2024 05:11:46

The use of "nativity" caught my eye, too, Luanne. It caused me to linger on the poem.

Gwen M. Plano

5/9/2024 10:01:41

🌞

Reena Saxena

5/7/2024 12:44:06

What a stunning creation, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 10:46:59

Thank you, Reena. I'm so pleased you liked the tanka. 😊

Balroop Singh link

5/7/2024 21:08:13

Summer creatures evoke such lovely verses! I like where this moth took you Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 10:47:36

Thank you, Balroop. 🤗

Priscilla Bettis link

5/8/2024 05:41:17

Beautiful flowers and a proud-looking moth. I enjoyed your poem, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 10:48:37

I've never seen a moth this size before - the size of my palm. Amazing. Thanks, Priscilla. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

5/8/2024 06:35:57

Wonderful, Gwen! ❤ Beautiful poetic announcement of a season's birth.

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 10:49:06

Thank you, Tim. I'm so pleased you liked it. 🌞

Jan Sikes

5/8/2024 07:26:41

I am so sorry to hear it's been a week of family emergencies, Gwen. Hope all is well now. What a lovely poem. Signs of summer are everywhere!

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 10:50:24

Thank you, Jan. Hubby's been in the hospital, but he's doing better now.

Pat Garcia link

5/8/2024 11:21:12

Hello My Friend,
I like your Tanka poem.The Poplar Sphinx Moth heralds summer and new beginnings. I too am ready for a new beginning.
All the best.
Shalom shalom

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 15:39:00

Thank you, Pat. I was surprised to see the moth. It is as big the palm of my hand. And like you, I'm ready for a new beginning. 🌞

Daniel Antion link

5/8/2024 13:39:41

It's a lovely poem, and it's a good thing to embrace the hope.

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 15:41:07

Thank you very much, Dan. 🌞

Annette Aben

5/8/2024 14:17:58

At first, I read the word nativity as naivete

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2024 15:41:59

Ahh, lovely thought, Annette. 🌞

Joan Hall link

5/8/2024 16:20:06

I love summer and signs of it are appearing where I live. Lovely poem, Gwen. There is something soothing about nature.

Gwen M. Plano

5/9/2024 06:13:16

I very much agree with you, Joan. "There is something soothing about nature."

Jacqui link

5/8/2024 19:00:00

I haven't seen a Sphinx Moth in oh so long. Lovely image and poem.

Gwen M. Plano

5/9/2024 06:14:12

It was the first time that I saw one up close, Jacqui. Thank you for your kind words.

smitha link

5/9/2024 06:24:24

What a pretty path to walk in and how lovely that you spotted the moth that heralds summer. I love the lines, 'clouds scurry as winds whisper/ a season's nativity.'

Gwen M. Plano

5/9/2024 08:57:38

Thank you, Smitha. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the post. 🌞

Marsha Ingrao link

5/10/2024 11:27:25

Your picture of the moth is amazing. The delicate stripes look like layers of a pyramid. Happy early summer! :) It should be nice this weekend.

Gwen M. Plano

5/10/2024 18:09:01

Thank you, Marsha. Fingers crossed for the weekend. 🌞

Jules link

5/11/2024 09:21:13

I've see some white cabbage moths and painted lady butterflies. And I think I saw a yellow swallowtail! The carpenter bees are back too!

I do think wild roses make lovely boarders. I think rose bushes need loving care, the right soil and some pruning in the fall.

At the moment the white honeysuckle, Spirea (or Meadow Sweets or Steeple bushes - I didn't know those alternate names until I looked up the spelling just now) and Columbine are also blooming in my yard. The hostas are green but they haven't flowered yet.

Best on the family recovery issues. Live keeps happening. :)

Gwen M. Plano

5/12/2024 11:14:56

Your garden and yard sound incredible, Jules. Thank you for sharing this magic. 😊

msjadeli link

5/11/2024 13:38:27

you capture her gentle arrival among a riot of color. love your use of nativity here, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

5/12/2024 11:16:01

Thank you so much. Ms. Jade. It's a beautiful time of the year. 😊

Selma Martin

5/11/2024 19:59:14

Most pleasant and delightful. Xo, Selma

Gwen M. Plano

5/12/2024 11:16:30

Thank you, Selma. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. 😊

Colleen link

5/12/2024 10:13:21

Gwen, this post is fabulous. I love how you were able to overcome the family troubles and still see hope shining above you! I enjoyed your photos too! 💗

Gwen M. Plano

5/12/2024 11:17:37

Thanks so much, Colleen. My husband is regaining his strength, and I'm finding a deep peace. ❤️

willowdot21 link

5/14/2024 02:20:22

I love your hopeful post and I really hope things on the family front are improving 😁😁

A Surprise Visitor

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