Mother’s Warning
“don’t eat
the yellow flowers”
my mother
once said
as we weeded
the garden
but I think
she was
talking about
scotch broom
and tansy
not dandelions
and mustard flowers
poetry
Gideon’s Challenge – Tug of War
Tug of War
Moving down
along the road
a decal
spotted
and oh so true
as prices
rise
it feels
as if
even with
a hybrid
the tank is
always
just half full
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Blood Moon Coming
Blood Moon Coming
Wildfire smoke
fills the air
tinging
the light
with an
amber hue
while turning
sunsets
an angry red
and moon rises
in shades
of pink
upon blue
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Reclaimed
Reclaimed
The fort sits high
with a view
of the sky
among brambles
and briar
and if you sit
very close
and stay
very quiet
you can hear
the shuffle
of movement
and
playful laughter
from inside
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Fight or Flight
Fight or Flight
It feels like
wanting to
run away
would be
paramount
in the chaos
and yet
instead
hiding
is sounding
so
much
better
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Imbalances
Imbalances
Jagged edges
blunted
by intermittent
cheerful moments
until
aggression
and anxiety
blend into
a strangely
cheerful smile
annoyingly bright
as insides
seethe
Twisting the Leaf 