Edge of Humanity Magazine

Posts from the ‘Tropical Garden Stories’ category

DVIII

    It is early morning. The sun has not even started to poke thru the thin layer of fog. The weather is cool, but not…

DIX

  lounging in hammock small irritating bird “peep, peep, peep” ripe papayas hang from tree my stomach complaining “give me a treat” I’m trying to fall…

DXI

purchased in 1991 sitting under blistering sun terracotta pot survived tropical storms hurricanes deteriorating bit by bit sinking into the earth |   eBook | Travels…

DXIII

  1st light morning pickings searching finding filling basket with cucumbers lettuce peppers scallions ripe tomatoes   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2019     |…

DXLIX

Tired Injured Lost  Spider Crawling  Inside crack of walkway Fire ants mobilizing Nature  Does not pick favorites Gargantuan Lizard  Quickly moves in Snatches  Spider While Fire…

DLVII

Moss clings to Buddha statue Cowbell rings Finches congregate to eat Days pass Seasons do not last Small changes Peaceful exchanges Garden Provides Refuge From World’s…

DLVIII

Pick cucumbers Slice Mix with rice vinegar and salt Stimulate appetite Multiple course delights  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge…

Haiku #258

Fresh bird seeds fall sprout Sunshine and rain pull the chain Doves walk feed from ground  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE  …

Haiku #257

Tall trees block sun Late afternoon shade controls day Price old garden pays  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

DLXIX

3 a.m. Walk around garden I hear movement Cannot see anything They are out there That pungent animal smell  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO …

DLXXII

Wind blows Ficus leaves fall Completely cover ground I accept nature’s gift  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity…

DLXXIII

Quickly With precision Cardinal Lands Feeds Leaves Seeking Refuge in trees  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC…

DLXXIV

Lost Injured Bee Crawls Along Pebbles & stepping stones Determined To find way home  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge…

Haiku #256

Dirty hands and knees Treasures inside of a box Assortment of seeds  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity…

DLXXVII

drip drip drip slow motion days sweeping weeding pruning sun rises sun falls watching the moon soon time for bed  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK…

Haiku #255

Soft breeze falling leaves Spider constructs new web Dove lands on Buddha head  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

DLXXIX

Middle of October Hot Southeast Florida day Fresh squeezed orange juice Bananas from tree Swinging in hammock Butterflies drift around me  * Find More Poetry HERE  …

DLXXXI

Make the land work for me Building West side fence From Bamboo Coconut tree fronds Travelers Palm dried bracts  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO …

DLXXXII

Squirrel Fell hard One meter from my feet I looked at him He at me Embarrassed Squirrel Scurried back up palm tree  * Find More Poetry HERE…

DLXXXVII

The Hermit Poet’s newly designed coconut tree super-duper bird feeding station is in place. I’m ready for visitors from the cold North to stopover at my warm…

DLXXXVIII

Seeds Plants In the ground Mulch & love Spread all around First planting of season done Soon Homegrown Vegetables In Salads Wok Slow Cooker Oven  *…

Haiku #254

Cool breeze rain starts to fall Slumbering iguanas Do not seem to care  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

DLXXXIX

Sunset Birds settle comfortably in nests  Squirrels nibble on last bits of corn Morning More caterpillars born  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE…

DCIII

Two visiting parrots Interrupt  Early morning silence  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018

DCIV

Extreme hot weather over soon Will be planting Vegetable garden Fresh soups and salads   Note: South Florida, USA vegetable growing season is approximately October 10th-May…

DCXXII

Independent Coconut tree Grows In its own direction  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018

DCXXXIII

Moss hangs low from ficus tree Slow grow No place to go * Who is The Hermit Poet?  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME…

Haiku #253

Sound of garden gong Birds sing drink eat seeds fly by Silent butterflies  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

Haiku #252

  Drops summer rain Heliconia & gingers No longer thirsty  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018

DCXLIX

Working the land Hands in dirt Clipping Raking Digging Cutting Planting Harvesting Spending as much time in garden as I can * Who is The Hermit…

DCL

Bending down Pulling weeds Picking up Gigantic Sea grape tree leaves Natural Garden Exercise Relaxes Me  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE  …

DCLII

First morning duty Barefoot Sweeping All 187 Stepping stones That Form Winding Pathways Throughout Zen Tropical garden  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE…

DCLXIII

Gravel path Lizard Gingerly Maneuvered Around Snake Catching Summer Rays  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018

DCLXIII

Midday Digging holes Feel worn out Stop Chew on three chunks 100% cacao Rejuvenates Me Back Digging Planting Two Royal Palm trees * Who is The…

DCLXVII

I’m Under attack Summer rain Termite wings On Between Typewriter keys   * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC…

DCLXVIII

Always Alone Sitting on garden swing While Delicate White Frangipani Flowerss Fall around her *  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright©…

DCLXXIV

Worn hands Holding onto shovel Stuck into ground Gardener needs rest  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC…

Haiku #250

Tree Frog sits waits Camouflaged on travelers palm Nibbling all–night  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018</p

DCLXXXIII

  Summer Heat Rain Cutting Bamboo Endless Supply Building material From Tropical garden    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge…

DCLXXXVII

  Morning Feeling Blue Strolled Outside Took a long view At Laughing Buddha Now alright  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright©…

DCLXXXIX

Years go by Watching Old Man Palm’s Beard Grow Topical garden Teaches Patience Let life flow * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE  …

DCXC

Heavy summer rain Backyard Under Veranda Smoking pipe filled with cherry chocolate tobacco Drinking Dr Pepper & coconut rum Feet soaking in warm water & Epson…

DCXCI

Climbing Top of fig leaf Lizard Looks around Resembling King Tropical garden  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity…

DCCI

  Immersed in tropical garden habitat Wearing my straw hat Slowly Spreading Fertilizer around plants While light summer rain falls * Find More Poetry HERE BACK…

DCCVI

Last hurricane Avocado tree Broken Halfway point Slowly Strangled By Aggressive Unforgiving Vines   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018  

DCCIX

Midsummer Hot Afternoon Tropical Garden Nothing moves All hiding in shade Except lone crow Loudly Complaining Water trays dry  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO …

DCCX

Just before sunset Swinging Slowly Back and Forth On Cedar Wood Swing Sipping Chamomile tea  bit of honey Observing Birds’ last feeding Soon I go to…

DCCXI

Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo Grows  Slow Unique texture Canvas that is homegrown    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

DCCXIII

Weathered Terracotta pot Half full of rainwater Miniature birdbath Frogs splash Mosquito eggs hatch    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright©…

DCCXVI

August night Tropical garden Soft Easterly Atlantic Ocean breeze Lighting small candles Surrounding Black marble Buddha I begin to meditate    * Find More Poetry HERE  …

Haiku #249

Ants find comfy home Inside folds of staghorn fern Stuck on sea grape tree  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

Haiku #247

Large ancient ficus tree One small leaf falls to ground Life continues on    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge…

Haiku #246

Rusting metal chair Covered with vines not alone Far corner garden    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity…

DCCXXVI

Painting stepping stone walkway blue Looks brand new Cat walks across Leaving paw prints Giving me more work to do  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK…

DCCXXVII

Trimming Leggy Hibiscus tree Two black butterflies Fluttering Between Red Flowers, green leaves and me    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE  …

DCCXXIX

Late afternoon Large Green Iguana Crawling Across Polished Japanese black stones Stops Sniffs Dead frog’s bones Again starts moving its feet Looking for plant treats Climbs…

DCCXXXV

Shaved head Bellyful Holding his cane The garden stone Buddha Laughing Though rain and sun Always having fun  * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME…

Haiku # 245

Droplets of rain fall Beam of sunlight cuts through shade Eastside of garden    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge…

DCCXXXVI

1 a.m. Full Moon Ax stuck into fallen coconut tree Baby tree frog Sits on top of metal blade Patiently Waiting for snacks    * Find…

DCCXXXIX

Summer afternoon heavy rainstorm stopped Barefoot throughout garden I walked Earth provides security for me Decided to rest and have a seat Wood bench Metal wash…

DCCXLII

Shredded wood mulch Spread Between Around Stone walkway Pink Plumeria flowers Fall Gently Decorate    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright©…

DCCXLIII

Expanding web Obstructing main garden pathway I sit down Observe Spider Accumulate prime real estate    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE  …

DCCXLVI

I have a new friend Oversized Lizard Two white paint spots on gray skin Last couple of weeks Follows me around garden    * Find More…

DCCXLVII

Piano keys sticking on me Cannot find harmony Wander outside Fog covers countryside Frogs and ducks only sounds I hear My Body attached to strings Controlled…

DCCLVII

lazy Sunday soft rain falling on banana and heliconia leaves homemade chicken soup fresh-cut garden salad listening to classical music eating reading sleeping cuddling at our…

DCCCIII

Open garden gate  First light Rabbit Enjoys Tasty Heist    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018…

DCCCV

Windy dusty day Garden hit by wrecking ball Cleanup Cherish more tomorrow    * Find More Poetry HERE   BACK TO  HOME PAGE   Copyright© Edge of…

DCCCXVII

Winter South Florida Early morning Tropical garden Sitting On cold cement bench Observing Listening Migratory birds Feeding Singing Goosebumps On my arms Positive Energy Flowing  …

Haiku #234

  When feeling alone I visit snakes in garden Outcasts-Friends that last           Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2018

DCCCXXVII

  Lessons from the tropical garden! A decade ago I dug a hole Placed the young plant into the soil Nature Provided Sunshine and rain Alcantarea…

DCCCXXVIII

  Lessons from the tropical garden! Marching Consistently Gaining Territory Bromeliads Decompose Negativity         Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2017

Haiku #214

  Rain stopped garden walk Pampered plants humid air Colors pop everywhere Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2017

DCCCXLIII

Papayas Bananas Mangoes Oranges Lemons Limes No one is keeping time. I’m resting in hammock and writing poems that rhyme. Birds, Iguanas, and squirrels having fun…

Haiku #212

Large clump bananas Hang from back porch wood beam Snacks while working garden Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2017

DCCCLIV

  Truckload Mushroom dirt Dumped Front yard Shoveling Loading Hauling Wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow load To the backyard Replenishing Garden soil Under Hot South Florida Sun Back…

DCCCLV

Evening delivery! Brown box stuffed with packets of vegetable seeds left at front door. My heart goes flicker flicker while I fall asleep and dream of…

CMVIV

It is  cooler than normal on this May Southeast Florida morning. I’m on my knees, running my fingers thru the dirt. My hands are dirty and…

Food Art

  Art Director David Tortora & Photographer Jaime Travezan are the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributors of these images.  From their project ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’.  To see…

CMXIX

  Lazy Saturday afternoon Opening a bottle of pinot noir Listening to opera Chopping garlic Fresh garden basil, oregano, and rosemary Mushrooms, onions,and peppers Vine ripe…

CMXXX

  I used to be a dandy Swapped My fine threads For A straw hat Corn pipe And Dungarees The Hermit gardener’s life is for me…

Haiku #177

  Winter cold snap Honeybell oranges soon ripe Gastronomic delight   Note to readers: Poem refers to Florida winter gardening. Just a bit of cold gives…

Haiku #170

  Garden vegetables Mixed with herbs in slow cooker Love is in the home   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2016

Haiku #168

  Heliconia Queen of tropical garden Hummingbird’s best friend   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2016

Haiku #166

  Boots places on stoop Morning garden duties done Time to watch moss grow   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2016

CMLXXII

For a long time She had suffered much No longer heard the beautiful sounds Of the garden chimes Final days I sat in a chair Next…

CMLXXVIII

Sitting on my beach chair Who the hell needs a career? Catching rays Reading philosophy books all day I’m not a frustrated big shot With an…

Haiku #145

  Endless Raking Leaves fall daily on rock garden Hermit learns patience   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2016

Patience-Tanka

  Year after year Designing, hauling, digging Section after section The hermit painstakingly created his dream garden   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity…

Haiku #123

Tranquility Every time I look at Buddha I feel so happy   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2015

Haiku #119

  Humble on my knees Casually pulling weeds My garden comforts me   Back to HOME PAGE Copyright© Edge of Humanity LLC 2015

Hermit’s Garden #3-Tanka

Birds coming to eat Feeders are full of seeds Fresh water in trays Goldfinches, cardinals, jays I watch an aerial ballet Back to HOME PAGE Copyright©…