Ivy Brooch

Crystal droplets adorn each tiny leaf

Ivy brooch embroidered with dew

Nature’s amazing, jeweled motif

Crystal droplets adorn each tiny leaf

Striking beauty whose time is brief

Passed by so many, seen by so few

Crystal droplets adorn each tiny leaf

Ivy brooch embroidered with dew

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Praying Mantis

Calmness embraced me when you came into view

Good fortune had drawn me to this rendezvous

Where the waters were calm, the air was at rest

And my mind lay burdened with so much distress

Until I saw you fly past me, then somehow I knew

When you set on the branch my curiosity grew

I approached with care to this place where you flew

Troubling thoughts had already begun to divest

Calmness embraced me when you came into view

In stillness I stood there in the meadow rue

Then your head turned to watch me looking at you

Tranquil eyes found my face, my heart stilled in my chest

In that moment I knew my life would be blessed

My spirits were lifted, inner peace shone through

Calmness embraced me when you came into view

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Butternut Squash

Tonight I thought I’d cook up some soup

Just enough for me, not a whole group

Butternut squash, the main ingredient

With a recipe I found, no need to invent

I roasted the squash and minced the onion

And used my food processor to make it fun

Then on a whim I added some fruit

An apple minced with onion, oh what a hoot

So I minced an apple to sauté on the stove

Oh boy, what a great concoction I wove

The squash was roasted, the fruit sautéed

With onion, some ginger; I was on a crusade

What a thrill I had when I pulled out the blender

Just what would my squash and veggie broth render?

So I pureed, pureed, then pureed some more

And hoped it would soon be thin enough to pour

But it wouldn’t puree so I added more broth

But all I got was a burnt orange froth

I must have misread the recipe along the way

The mixture was creamy, that’s how it would stay

So I heated it through and gave it a taste

I decided that it would not go to waste

It was surprisingly good, really quite yummy

And so I had a bowl to fill up my tummy

So I’ll try this recipe on another day

I’ll make soup with squash, I’ll not run away

From trying something new to serve at dinner

In the meanwhile, my creamy squash is a winner

Beauty Within

Crevice in the earth

Reveals true beauty within

Mother Nature beams

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

The Jeweler's Hands

These manicured nails
Symbol of opulence or
Facade of purpose 

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Fleeting Childhood

He races like the wind, then stops on a dime

When he spots a tree with branches to climb

He can’t be held back, a spirited foal

His infectious laughter embraces my soul

I would slow it down if only I could

This little boy’s fleeting childhood

His legs are restless, no sitting still

Propelled by curiosity and a bit of will

No rock unturned, no flower ignored

Adventures together never leave me bored

I would slow it down if only I could

This little boy’s fleeting childhood

He runs through days with vigor and zest

Having him in my life I’m surely blessed

Our journeys bring me untold pleasure

Our time together a priceless treasure

I would slow it down if only I could

This little boy’s fleeting childhood

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Three Little Cats

Climbing the wall were three little cats
Their ears were sharp like those of a bat
They must run lots as none were fat
So cute and adorable to just look at
I wanted to reach over and give each a pat
But they didn't look in the mood to chat
The trio were obviously told to scat
From whichever place they formerly sat
Maybe from beneath a lady's hat
Or hiding from a sharp-fanged rat
Or a restaurant owner pointing a gat
Who found them licking milk from his vat
Possibly the triplets had a ferocious spat
With a pack of dogs with powerful lats
Barely escaping through a fence with slats
A threesome of kittens can be pesky like gnats
But never could any one be called a brat
Maybe they search for a welcome mat
Where kittens aren't made to give tit for tat
Just a lap full of love...and that was that

© pending Susan R. O’Brien