Showing posts with label high plains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high plains. Show all posts

Friday, July 2, 2021

Unpredictable

 

Unpredictable

Summer on the high plains
is as unpredictable as a politician
in the morning starting out as friends
by evening cursing like sailors at each other on Twitter

The rain of yesterday hammered in fury
a gully washer with intermittent pea size hail
like a cowboy without a spittoon
spitting away with that cheek bulge of chew

It did clear the air between those politicians though
like one of those infomercial things
wondering if the warranty is good
because of how the parts don't quite fit

Meanwhile, back at the ranch the wind is stout today
out of the southeast with a sticky bite like hard cider
that's never good, its an open invitation for another storm
fermenting this afternoon like the head on good amber ale

Less than a month ago on a Sunday in June
with malice the sky opened
raining golf balls like lead grapeshot
shredding the siding like harsh words on a tender heart

The insurance check came two days ago with
the unwanted strings attached to it
the lender like that unwanted investor
gets their say in how we repair our own home

So, in this sticky air I'll check the irrigation early
to see if any of the syphon tubes have plugged up
irrigating is a symbiotic rhythm of having horses
so when the cold winds and bitter chills come they stay plump

Maybe I'll find another red-tailed hawk feather
those small things that catch my eye
I carry it as a trophy as I walk through the fields
letting my thoughts fly around in dizzying circles


Poem 21-183y
263 Words
#highplainspoet
Just a summer day in July and practicing using metaphors. © 5 minutes ago, Brian    misc • life • rambling • ranching   


Monday, January 21, 2019

Reflects


Reflects

Cold awakens
 security light's glow
  frost sparkles in purity
   brushes across earthy browns
  as if diamond flecks dust the ground
 on limbs and blades
wood and tin

19-014Z
 #highplainspoet

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Nebraska Calls


Nebraska Calls

Morning lilac skies remind me of joy
  before gray skies of December
Steal the memory of Spring
  footsteps leave frosty imprint

Chill silences song of meadowlark
  call of pheasant nested
Warmth drifts away in breeze
  bite of air redden cheeks

18-331z
#highplainspoet #westernnebraskathoughtsandlife

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Dying Grass Moon


Dying Grass Moon

Somber light leaks
   clouds cloak
      the Dying Grass Moon

Daybreak a month ago
   sun paints horizon
      gossamer sky

Season passes stealthily
   'til aware of
      light hidden longer

High plains
   shades of brown
      grass grieves

Winter's approach
   chills the lungs
      denudes prairie

18-299z

Friday, September 7, 2018

In Summer When

In Summer When


Contrail follows
pickup's path
Dust coats
sticky skin

Becomes mud
rub brow
Paints earthiness
upon tanned flesh

Marks of earth
furrows cut deep
Upon terrain of face
he marks the earth

18-229y

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Prairie

Prairie (18-182C)

Summer rains refresh
high plains still green
Grass waist high
blades wave in wind

Antelope curl up
as shower pelts them
Coolness welcome
temporary relief

Seasonal flows
ravines hold water
Drawn to drink
pools of life

Friday, June 8, 2018

Ode to the Wind


Ode to the Wind (07-170B)

The clever man
Man, try as he may
Wants to control
Control the wind

Wind from the prairie
Prairie so dry
Dry and thirsty for a sip
Sip of water on chapped lips

Lips that curse barren sky
Sky that brings praise
Praise to God for drizzling rain
Rain that is sparse

Sparse like the few watering holes
Holes hold water in the concrete ground
Ground drilled very deep
Deep to treasure
Treasure of water
Water and wind

Wind that pumps
Pumps life from the ground
Ground that supports
Supports a family now

Hooves


Hooves (07-162A)



Sound of hooves
earth quakes in vibrato thunder

Stillness of air before Your presence
blowing over thirsty land

Spirit falling on my parched soul
satisfy the longing of my soul

Thursday, June 7, 2018

End of Day


End of Day 18-155z

Crickets crick
Mosquitos prick
Tiki torch flames tease
Flicker in dusk's breeze
Clouds streak in braids
Orangish red light fades

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

New Day



New Day (18-156A)

Early morning brings joy
shadows give way
Sunrise is close
as birds fill air with praise

Night's hush has given way
new hope as faith arises
To possibilities of day
healing dark places in presence of His light

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Breathe

Breathe (18-151B)

Mud balls up
no tread exposed
As pedal along ditch bank
vibrant green of life

Rain kisses earth
romancing prairie
Rich colors emblazon
love's fruit

Glory of Father
high plains cycle of worship
Renewal and hope
that I too will experience renewal again

Each day a new opportunity
to enter in anew
Deep breaths fill my being
as He imparts next breath of life

Friday, June 1, 2018

Depth


Depth (18-152A)

In the dawn, in the twilight
fiery orange and pinks
Pierce the liminal space
thresholds of the day

Where Father's glory
brushed across horizon
Peace settles upon the space
bask in contentment

Day ends as it began
desire and passion stirred
Longing to experience
depths of Your love

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Swimming

Swimming (18-007D)

Twilight's purples and pinks
Canadian gees rise off corn stubble
listen to movement of wings
swim through the air

Soak in the sights and sounds
v formations move in waves
return to safety of North Platte River
at dawn to only surf the air again

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Storm Brews


Storm Brews 18-132y

Storm gathers on western horizon
Sky dual blaze in setting glow
Soft white light as if view through filters as changes to deep blue
From north to south lighting intermittently pierces sky
Uniqueness of nightfall on high plains
Left in solitude to watch in choice to watch
Darkness cloaks and soon go in
Awe of small moments reward
Coyotes yip from bluff to the south
Then silence then commotion
Once again alone in moment

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Thedford

Thedford (18-132B)

Across Highway 2 in Spring
Sandhills full of life
desolate road dotted with pools

Coal trains rumble past
dual track of BNSF
four steel ribbons cut terrain

Cattle and calves
mallards and geese
bulky deer filled out

Luscious green of grass
solitude full of life
sparse unincorporated towns

Antioch, Lakeside, Ellsworth, 
Bingham, Ashby, Hyannis
Whitman, Mullen, Thedford

Rip Van Winkled
Sleepy from another era
Lunch at Sandhills Corral

No fast food in 100 mile stretch
Waitress fits the outback of Nebraska
Lithe beauty like all that surrounds

Rugged splendor fills with awe
to stay through Winter's harshness - isolated
rewarded with grandeur of rolling hills

Valleys gathering water
'til collected in Middle Loup
further east widens

From small creeks all draining
together to form rambling river
winds between hills with green banks

Friendly country this time of year
Winter's cocoon shaken off
a drive out of the way

Land undiscovered
solitude that busyness disturbs
hubbub of city not welcome

Where grime of megalopolis
rubs off in gritty life on the land
payphones, cell phone coverage hasn't penetrated

Roughness of nature
all - people and landscape - weathered
tanned leathery golden skin

Cowboy hats aren't a fashion statement

natural as skin it accents
a person's natural grace

Place inviting to poets
where mind expands in open country
words spill to page as lost in time

Solitude that draws
haunting the soul
beckoning to remember

Symbiotic relationship

an ancient rhythm
lost in the commotion











Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Quaff


Quaff 18-135z

Velvet petals closed
Water beads glisten
Heart not exposed

Simple beauty soft
Memories of us revive
Retina ravenously quaff

Monday, April 30, 2018

Clings



Clings 18-111Z

Wetness glues to blades of grass
Buds iced white
Snow in Spring enhancing color
White frosting painted on green
Vibrant yellows of daffodils

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Rythm

Rhythm 18-060B

Moon crests horizon
gloriously full as sun fades
clouds soon hide both
darkness settles on high plains

Flocks of geese noisily pass above
returning to the river at dusk
recall sounds of wings in motion
hear the air move as they fly overhead

Rhythm of seasons
passing from one to the next
robins returned first in mid-January
meadowlarks returned this week

Morning filled with singing
twilight filled with pheasant calls
as they fly low over prairie
seeking cover for night

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (18-060B)





Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Prairie Blessing


Prairie Blessing 18-101Z

In the tall grass of late Spring
Brushes against my waist
Lush green of high plains

Visit this memory often
A place of calm
Father walks beside

Quietly, side by side
Wind rustles grass
Meadowlarks loudly sing

Heads of grass bowed
Heavy with seed
Honoring us as we pass


About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (18-101Z)

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Winter Reluctant

         Winter Reluctant

Thoughts settle as now floats down
Another late April blast of Winter
Winter so reluctant to let go

As day progresses snow continues
Covering grass with wet purity
Turning bare patches to mud

Perfect temperature for a walk
In the heavy wetness
heart warm with thoughts of my love

Her brunette hair still captures me
Dark brown eyes, pools of security
Her hand in mine comfortably

Each day that passes a new opportunity
Exploration of beauty I've neglected
Parts long dormant awakened

All by a Spring day in late April
On the high plains of Western Nebraska
A different kind of beauty

About the Author:  Brian Bucks lives on a small horse ranch in Western Nebraska and is a husband, father, electrical engineer, and poet. (17-118B)