Nature Conservancy

Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that acquires and preserves open space. The organization is based in Arlington, VA and managed by Steven J. McCormick. Its official home on the web is http://www.nature.org

Write an Article

RSS

Skies Lit Up By Jacarandas!

Written by aprillorier on

From: christiannature.blogspot.com

As I drive along the roads of Southern California, I am mesmerized by the blossoming Jacaranda Trees, painting the roadsides purple - or could it be blue? Oh, I know the flowers are sticky, and if they land on your parked car, they will ruin the paint, but the beauty of them is unbelievable. This is my season, for it is now that all the Jacaranda Trees worldwide are in blossom!

There is an Australian poet named Ann Beard who wrote a poem that aptly describes my favorite tree. Enjoy!

A Jacaranda Tree

A Jacaranda tree stands tall, and sways as if to say,
Look at this magnificence! I’m wearing blue today.
Forgive the way I shout aloud, my lack of modesty,
but nowhere in this troubled world is finery like me.

Light rays slide between each leaf, will settle on the tips
to lightly kiss your face with a hundred million tiny lips.
You only have to lift your eyes to greet the filtered sun,
a sight I guarantee will warm the heart of everyone.

Though very tall, my leaf is small, its form is one of fern,
large panicles of bluebells swell to trumpet unconcern.
A Bee collects its nectar from an ample deep white throat,
then flies to join its family, and of its feast to gloat.

Look up to see each fern like leaf, floating up on high,
like footprints of a centipede that stroll across the sky.
See how far my branches reach, admire their greenery!
I am beautiful and strong, I am the Jacaranda tree.

Ann Beard, Australian Poet

2009 April Lorier

How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small. Psalm 104:24-25

Previous Article Next Article