Lily Pads and Bullfrogs

by Anna Stephens   Jan 26, 2012


There's a path
that meanders

across horse pastures
through the dogwood
and
red bud trees

Worn thin
by centuries
of traveler's
footsteps

Now quilted
in green velvet
moss

It leads to
a pond
in the valley
A tiny gem
on the crust
of the earth
Fed by cold, crystal
springs

Its surface covered
in Summer
with pancake size
lily pads

Stages from which
bug-eyed bullfrogs
belt out
their melodies

The marquee announces
Mother Nature
plays here daily
and the performance
is just
for me

copyright Anna Stephens

3


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Latest Comments

  • 12 years ago

    by Yakori bint Muhammed

    I actually searched to read a nature poem from your collection, because i love nature. I so much love this piece, and the flow is so smooth it took me on a ride with the wonders of nature. The imagery is vivid, one can envisage each line as one reads. What an exquisite piece, nature always keeps me in high spirit and this sure boost my spirit. Your wordings are simply terrific, Gods blessing be with you. Bon Travail!!! :)..

  • 12 years ago

    by A lonely soul

    Spellbinding! Is the best way to describe this amazingly well written nature poem that vividly captures exotic summer beauty. From the start to finish the reader is enthralled by the beauty of this a masterly composition. A seemingly effortless work of art, impressing nature's beauty in to our hearts and minds. I envisioned myself in a paradise, as if in a dream, when sipping through the imaginative display flowing from the poet's pen.
    This write brought forth memories of some of the past summers to life. The author uses her amazing writing skills and imagination when traveling down a winding path, through horse pastures, serene dogwoods (a tree with greenish flowers surrounded by large showy pink or white petal-like bracts) and red bud trees (another beautiful tree...covered with abundant pink flowers in summer, also the state tree for Oklahoma), on a path covered by a quilt like velvet moss, that leads to a natural pond in a secluded valley, fed by crystal springs....brings back memories of some of the most beautiful nature hikes of my past years.
    The best part was the description of a tiny pond, cloaked with pancake-size lily pads that reminded me of a similar pond at my parent's home. Yes, water lilies are the most photogenic of all flowers that I can remember, particularly when in full bloom. ... The bullfrogs sitting on its large pads, so imaginative, sing a tune on summer evenings and nights.....so captivating, of a heavenly place by the author in this concluding stanza:

    Stages from which
    bug-eyed bullfrogs
    belt out
    their melodies

    The marquee announces
    Mother Nature
    plays here daily
    and the performance
    is just
    for me

    No wonder the poem easily captures the reader's heart.

    (From Judging Feb 5, 2012)

  • 12 years ago

    by Ste

    This is a delight. It is succinct and clear. The breif lines lead you to the very pond by the narrow track. I love and envy this!
    Excellent.

  • 12 years ago

    by Lonely Rider

    This is soooo beautiful ... such lovely description of nature ... I cannot pick any one line as favorite, the complete poem is a power pack of breathtaking imagery. And I think only you can make bullfrogs sound as lovely as lilies :)

    This goes to my favorites :)

  • 12 years ago

    by TJ Arizona Eagle

    Best nature poem ever . I loved the title, it drew me in right away.
    This is absolute beauty in words. A picture of natures best. I really enjoyed this read