Nature’s Notes

Posted on by jonicaggiano

Poem and Photographs by Joni Caggiano

the blue moon danced full of hope, giving way to the sunrise
whose eyelashes flutter as clouds pass by
an indigo tailed lizard drenched in the warmth of a red brick
orange and black, the monarch liberated from her chrysalis
stirring her freshly painted wings upon a green canvas
underneath leaves, a mantis is praying for her dinner
carefully polishing two bright olive swords
built with two rows of sharp spines, she prepares for the hunt
magnolia blossoms become a trap for a hungry bee
hummingbirds stall with sorrow, forgotten visitors to this family
the red mouth of iron rusted the lone bicycle with training wheels
vines cling with tendrils to the handles hiding signs
of life that once fetched playful notes like bubbles
bringing laughter while singing songs in nature’s chorus

New Monarch From the Chrysalis
An Anole Sunning Himself

49 thoughts on “Nature’s Notes”

  2. Joni I was held captive in thought and in the images you’ve created in this poem. Lovely, brilliant and so precise. And your photographs added the final touch of brilliance. Loved it! 😊 wishing you a lovely week with many blessings to you and your husband. With love and peace,
    From Spain,
    Francisco

    Liked by 5 people

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    1. Oh thank you dear Francisco for all your humbling and gracious words. I am so glad you liked it. Also delighted you liked the photographs as well. Love to both you and your wife as well. Sending blessings always. Hugs 🤗 Joni

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  3. Joni, this is pure beauty. You write nature so magically🦋✨ I absolutely love the fluttering eyelashes of the sunrise, the painted monarch, and the mantis with “two bright olive swords / built with two rows of sharp spines.” That line gives me a Mary Oliver mixed with Sylvia Plath feel. I am always in awe of your talent. 💕

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    1. Thank you sweet Katy. I do appreciate your kind words and gracious support. Thank you for your sweet reference to Sylvia Plath and Mary Oliver. I am appreciative my friend. Hope you have an amazing rest of the week. Sending love ❤️ and hugs. Joni

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    1. Thank you my friend. I hope all is well with you. It is finally cooling off here in NC. It feels so nice to feel a bit of a cool breeze. Sending you lots of love and blessings my dear friend. ❤️💕🤗Love Joni

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    1. Oh thank you my dear friend. I am always so amazed by nature. The praying mantis is such a skilled killer and so amazingly suited for his specific region. I can’t believe how many different kinds there are and all are formidable hunters. So glad you enjoyed this Stuart. You and your honey have an awesome day. Please give your wife my best. Love ❤️ to y’all 💕Joni

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    1. I don’t know why I am just seeing this comment now but I will just be grateful that I got it. Thank you for your lovely words which I do so appreciate. Love and hugs to you as well my friend. 💕❤️☕️☕️🤗

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    1. Oh thank you beautiful Button. You have made my evening with your thoughtful words.
      “It vibrates with life and love.”
      Thank you my friend. You too, have a wonderful evening. Sending you lots of love and inspiration.
      Many hugs,
      Love honeybun ❤️💕🤗

      Liked by 2 people

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  12. This is so resounding. You’ve crafted the magical note of nature in such wonderful words. The pictures are amazing, but the poem really speaks of the beauty your pen hides. Not only is it rich and full of succulent imagery, but the wonderful flow really takes me to this lush garden as I lie basking in the sun. Lovely.

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    1. Thank you so much my friend. Your kind words have touched my heart.

      “You’ve crafted the magical note of nature in such wonderful words.”

      You humble me with these words my friend. Thank you so much for reading and for your generous words. You have been a blessing to me this day.

      ❤️ love Joni

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. My absolute pleasure dear friend. Your poem touched mine in the very first place.
        I am so thrilled to be writing to you. I hope I could bring a smile to your face.
        Cheers.
        Always,
        Shanyu.

        Liked by 2 people

  14. AHHHH!!!! This is sooo LOVELY, Joni! You just gifted a huge smile. I’ll confess: before I could enjoy Your beautiful poem I had to get over my intense jealousy that Y’all have a Praying Mantis in proximity!!! What I would give!!! I’ve even bought egg sacs but they just don’t like it around here! Or the frogs and lizards gobble them up. I’ll never know! But YAY!! Love this poem!!! Thank You!!! I hope Y’all have a wonderful week and tell Your sweet Mantis hello for me! 🤣❤️🤗!!!

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    1. Thank you Katy. I love the Mantis too. We have them all over the place. The one in the picture is on Jasmine which covers the iron handles coming up our stairs. They are always there. On the screen porch we have one side covered with vines and they love it there as well. I don’t know if you saw my pictures of the Luna Moths mating but they are almost never seen and to catch them mating is rare. Bugs we have and I love them. I will send you a box of them, via fairy tonight but please keep them warm. I have seen them strike they are lightening fast. I am surprised you don’t have them. Love to you sweet friend.
      😘🤗💕🐉🦋Joni

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      1. OH MAN!!! Now I’m really jealous!!! Thanks for the fairie transport and no! I have not seen the Luna Moth post! I will come look for it later!!! Cheers and YAY!!! Love right back to You! 🤗❤️😊

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you my sweet Janette. I am always happy when you like my work. Speaking of which my dearest and longest friend, I was talking about you yesterday. When you grow up in the military it is hard to keep up with the friends we made. I was so blessed to meet you and to continue to know and love you. A friend who is always there is something to cherish which I do. Sending you a string of blue butterflies to go with the one on your tree. I love you my dear friend. 🦋🦋🦋❤️😘Joni

      Liked by 1 person

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