by Debbie Okun Hill
“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu
The moon’s rays lift me like a sky lantern floating beyond an old cedar fence. I was told:
place fresh ash leaves beneath a pillow and prophetic dreams will follow.
Seeds are gift-wrapped runes.
The best time to collect ash samaras is on a non-rainy day but the rain and snow
have already snatched and buried the brown keys that unlock tomorrow’s ashes.
I seek new ways to garden memories.
Artist Hans Heysen immortalized the majestic gum trees before they vanished
from Australian landscapes. My favourite:
Droving into the light 1914-1921
Today, his fascination with sunlight inspires me. I dip my brush into water.
The imaginary buds unfurl their colours
like calligraphy: riddles inked on a white papered lantern.
— from Juniper Volume 2, Issue 2