Paint & Poetry: Spring 2025
Montana Spring
by H.G. Moser
The first mayfly of the year
landed on my arm so lightly
it was like nothing happened
Everchanging Gem
by Kent Kasting
A 692-mile fluid string of multi-colored gems.
At times, emerald green yet crystal clear;
Then topaz brown in a heartbeat.
Sometimes turquoise becomes jade,
And in winter, its garnet gray turns icy opal white.
Often it sparkles like diamonds,
And at night, its obsidian black is sprinkled with star sapphires.
When dawn comes, an amber orange subtlety changes hues.
But this jewel is always yellow as it continues its endless journey to the sea—
This precious stone is the Yellowstone—an everchanging gem.
Some Days in May
by Sarah Blizzard Robinson
On good days,
I wake early.
Kneel by the bed, thank heaven,
sip caffeine, devour news.
Solve the word puzzle.
Mash bananas, bake nut bread.
Barkley sniffs the cinnamon.
Cake cools, tenderloin thaws.
Grab headband and the leash.
His long tail fans the room.
We hike Fairy Lake,
catch a glimpse of elk.
I gather wild orchids.
Share water bottle with the canine.
Clouds reveal Aladdin’s Lamp.
We march home in step.
I lounge on screened porch,
call a friend, chat for hours.
Grill steak, roast yams.
Sweet Peaks for ice cream.
On another day…
Co-op’s closed.
Hair needed washed yesterday.
Washer smells of mildew.
I forget to pray.
Skies grow dark.
Mail’s late,
wind picks up,
I’m out of eggs.
The sourdough scorches,
my oven stinks.
NYT puzzle perplexes,
Barkley won’t eat expensive mix.
Blizzard headed this way,
firewood’s low.
Boots left blisters,
my down coat’s wet.
Classes cancelled, where are my skis?
It’s May for Christ’s sake.
Chains required on pass, closing I-90.
I’ve got the Bozeman blues.
