mountain laurel – The Morning Porch/Patio

Wednesday March 04, 2020

Dave Bonta March 4, 2020

The waxy surfaces of laurel and rhododendron leaves glitter in the sun. A bluebird sits silently on a branch, waiting for insects to stir.

Dave Bonta February 19, 2020

At blue noon the wailing of fire engines. Mountain laurel leaves gleam in the sun. A cold ladybird’s slow plod.

Dave Bonta February 8, 2019

Last night’s torrential rain has given way to wind, sunlight shimmering on the flooded stream and the waxy leaves of mountain laurel.

Dave Bonta February 20, 2017

Cloudless and still. Sun gleams on the laurel under the trees. I hear the crunch of footsteps on the gravel road from a hundred yards away.

Dave Bonta April 16, 2015

Two wild turkeys cross the road into the woods, their dark feathers shining in the sun as they disappear into the equally lustrous laurel.

Dave Bonta April 4, 2015

Fast moving cumulus clouds. When the sun comes out, it glistens on the mountain laurel leaves in the woods and in the yard, the periwinkle.

Dave Bonta March 31, 2014 1

On a bright morning, I can almost forget how many of the laurel bushes shining in the sun are sick and dying. A titmouse’s monotonous call.

Dave Bonta January 4, 2014 1

A high-pitched barking at sunrise. Three lost dogs come running through the mountain laurel, metal tags jangling around their necks.

Dave Bonta November 18, 2013 1

Shreds of clouds disintegrate as they drift toward the east. Sun on wind-tossed mountain laurel leaves—the whole hillside shimmers.

Dave Bonta April 3, 2013 1

All up the hillside, the glossy leaves of mountain laurel shimmer in the sun and wind. Minute snowflakes from who knows where pelt my cheek.