SURPRISES

I am surprised at the red of the maples
Amazed at the spriggy young peach tree and plum
the wild berry canes are covered with silver
and here is a hoptoad big as my thumb ...

Astonished am I at the faint of the violet
that flows in among the dawn's softest gray
Delighted with noon so clear in its challenge
and almost amazed at the closing of day ...

But children, the children! Like butterflies flitting
like blooms that burst forth on a stream's
shining brink -
like birds that are spilled hit-a-miss in the
heavens -
so dazzled am I it is futile to think.

__________________________________

(Painting by artist Jack Vettriano)
http://www.heart-break.co.uk