Poetry | “Love…” In Springtime

I Love Plants

I love plants 

inside, outside, in pots or not 

growing out of cracks in the sidewalk 

clustered together in the woods 

glowing in the prairie sunshine 

quietly they wait for water 

staying put, living, dying

I need them and some of them 

need me

I love plants 

sharing our friendship 

in quiet conversation 

I hurt when they dry up 

without them I would dry up 

their tenderness soothes me

their strength inspires me 

quietly they soak up the light 

quietly beside them, I breathe

I love plants 

they teach me to go deep

hiding my roots in the dark 

spreading my branches 

as if love is all there is 

as if living itself is enough 

as if near and far are the same 

as if every being has worth 

as if I am enough 

An original “doodle” drawing with watercolor. (Artwork by Diane Knight)

The Eye of the Storm

I welcome the raging story

as a friend who bursts in –

full of sound and adventure.  

Embracing this wild upheaval, 

my heart is unsettled, 

my troubled mind is moved

to search, to ask, to listen.

From the eye of the storm

quietly, calmly, love arises

whispering “I am still here.”

I hear her, I feel her,

as if for the first time, 

for I have been looking in 

all directions but inward.

Meanwhile, love has been

right here – all along – living 

in the very marrow of my bones.

            © Diane Knight 2024

 

Root River Current’s coverage of the arts is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.