SPRING RAIN

A  purple-blue pouch spreads overhead.
When God unzips it,
diamonds spill out
and clatter to the earth.
A ribbon of color spreads overhead
as the sun pierces the empty pouch.
Arches of shades of red, yellow, and blue
glitter in the sun's rays.

Darlene Estlow©2016

SPRING IN THE PARK

Here is my post for Day Eight in Writing 101: Death to Adverbs
Today’s Prompt: Go to a local café, park, or public place and write a piece inspired by something you see. Get detailed: leave no nuance behind.
Today’s twist: write an adverb-free post.

I walked through the park, green with life. As the weeks have passed since the calendar said Spring was here, I have watched life being birthed on the trees. Some have remained leafless in the middle of April, but it was a joy to see buds turn to leaves on many of them. Daffodils lined the path that led through the park and when I passed the playground, I smiled at the presence of mothers and fathers pushing children, who begged, “Push higher!” The sun beamed on everyone striding on the path. Some stopped to play hopscotch on the diagram drawn on the sidewalk. Dogs on leashes danced down the path in front of their owners. All in all, it was a day to enjoy Spring and the warmth of the season. Rain may fall, but winter is done, and the sun is smiling.

Beautiful Leafless Tree

The sky was bright blue and clear with only a couple wispy white clouds decorating it. Reaching into it was a leafless tree, ravaged by winter cold. Lifeless trees remind me of the end of things, like winter reminds me of old age–which age I am. Lifeless trees are not pretty; we await spring when they once again brighten the day with brilliant green and glorious shade. Ah, the beauty of spring.

But as I gazed out the window that bright morning, I stared at the tree reaching for sunlight. The sun seemed to bath its lifeless branches in a coating of gold. Its branches, framed by the azure sky, looked beautiful. What an amazing sight. It was as if it was saying, the sun brings beauty to what doesn’t have beauty.

What of me? My “leaves” have fallen off and age has robbed me of youthful beauty. I have gray hair and wrinkles and some other problems brought on by age. However, I am assured that as the Son shines on me, I have beauty only He may see, but as I abide in Him, that beauty will reflect on those around me.