Flower Power
As part of WriteOut*, the Daily Create joins in with outdoor prompts for the Poetry, Prose, and Parks theme. Today’s prompt is:
You may be noticing the change of the season. Perhaps flowers are blooming where you are. Write a small poem or prose about a flower.
the Daily Create
#tdc4288 #ds106 #WriteOut Flower Power
Rabbitbrush in the Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem
A flower just finishing its blooming is the grey rabbitbrush— as you can see in September it bloomed as far as the eye can see. The yellow of two types of rabbitbrush make the park glow! It seems to be calling out “It’s Autumn! It’s Autumn! Change colors!” The bush is food for many critters, including mule deer and rabbits. One species is the source of a type of latex for those allergic to the other latex.
This photo was taken in September, 2023 near the boat launch at Crescent Bay in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. [Instagram] The ecosystem here is the semi-arid shrub-steppe, known for its many flowering drought resistant plants such as this rabbitbrush.
I’ve written two posts on my art blog with rabbitbrush poetry, but the Daily Create today inspired me to think of another — that the glowing, golden rabbitbrush is calling out the announcement, “It’s Autumn– change colors.”
And so, the poem…
Poetry
Rabbitbrush Roll Call
As far as the eye can see
Sheri Edwards
clumps of tall stems
topped everywhere in
clusters of golden blossoms
brighten the grey
of September clouds
and call to all
“Bring on the colors of autumn!”
10.10.23 283.365.23
Poetry/Photography
*JOIN IN!
This post is part of the October WRITEOUT adventure, October 8 through the 22nd, partnership of the National Writing Project and the National Park Service — a choice to enjoy the outdoors with poetry, prose, and parks for Write Out 2023. Organized as a public invitation to get out and create, supported by a series of free online activities, Write Out invites educators, students, and families to explore national parks and other public spaces. The goal is to connect and learn through place-based writing and sharing. Check out this infographic for the flow of the two weeks.
Learn more and sign up: https://writeout.nwp.org
This is my sixth year with WriteOut with all my WriteOut posts here.