East Texas in Bloom

A quiet stir beneath the pine

where worms and roots all intertwine

the soft rich soil begins to bring

the first soft breath of Texas spring

The rain lily wakes from a sudden shower

a pale and pearly starlit flower

it rises from the damp and dark

to leave upon the grass a spark

A dollop of spittlebug foam

a bubbly, secret, springtime home

tucked away on a thorny stem

a hidden, frothy meadow gem

the Indian paintbrush dipped in red

lifts its scarlet, shaggy, head

a flickering flame amidst the green

the boldest brush the woods have seen

A lime green bead on velvet pink

he pauses there to rest and think

with tiny spots and gentle feet

he basks in springtime air, so sweet

The honeysuckle twists and climbs

a fragrant friend of olden times

with ribbons white and aged to gold

it hides a sweetness, pure and bold

A thousand threads of fleabane white

fringed with a touch of morning light

with golden eyes and stems so thin

they usher all the wildness in

A tiny beetle, dark and small

within the fleabanes petaled hall

he nestles in the golden eye

as springs soft clouds go drifting by

Bright golden waves dance in the breeze

Lazy lures for the bumbling bees

with mahogany hearts and petals of sun

The glow of the springtime has only begun

a bumblebee in fuzz and gold

on petals pink and spirit bold

He dances on the copper crown

until the evening sun goes down

The privet spills its frothy white

heavy with scents of pure delight

like summer snow on a tangled vine

where honeyed clouds and green entwine

Deep in the green the blue-eyed grass

peeks at the travelers as they pass

a tiny star with a golden sight

waking the lawn with purple light

A cluster of lantana, bright

with petals painted pink and white

a landing pad for painted wings

where every passing swallowtail swings

A paper wasp in rusted red

has found a leafy green vined bed

among the thorns where berries creep

he drifts away in springtime sleep

A magnolia moon so broad and fair

pours lemon perfume throughout the air

with velvet petals, cream and bright

A queen of every southern sight

The spiderwort wakes with the morning dew

in robes of royal purple hue

a fleeting beauty, a widow's tear

that fades away as noon draws near

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Pine trees stretch out towards the sun

and forest trails and meadows run

in every petal, wing and vine

East Texas Spring will always shine