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Reflections of Nature

a selection of peaceful poetry

for tranquil moments

by Amy Merideth Swanson

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This is a selection of tranquil poetry, that I
hope you will find enjoyable, relaxing,
& soothing in today's busy,
stressful life.

Take a few moments to find serenity

within these peaceful writings.
Look...
& see your own reflection
in nature.
-- Amy

All poetry is © by Amy Merideth Swanson

 Dedications.

I dedicate this book to:

My loving husband, Mike, whom I love so
much & has always encouraged my writing.
He lights up this life of mine greatly.
My dear daughter Chaya...who provided
so much inspiration. Her heart is beautiful!
She is my sunshine & sweet light...
My sister Bethany, who has been a sister, a
best friend, & confidant. I love her dearly,
she has brought a smile to my face many a
time...& does a great job on my hair! ;)
My best friend Angie, who's been more than
a friend but as a sister to me as well these
20-some odd years. She has listened, cared,
encouraged, & laughed at all my jokes!...
My new friend Penny, who was there for me
at a very sad time with the passing of my
mother. She was a great encouragement to
me in this project...
 and saving the best for longest & last...
to my very dear mom & dad

Annette Caldararo Merideth

&
Lonnie Clayton Merideth

They made me who I am today & are still

with me... in my mind.. my heart... my soul.
They taught me how to dream...
how to laugh...
how to live...
but most of all – how to love.
Mom & Dad...
I love you.
You have passed... but you live on
in my memories...
and in my life.
Always.
You are the heart of this book.
 Table of Contents
Colors of Dawn (tanka) .............................1
In Life (haiku) ........................................... 2
Sun Kiss–Welcome the Day (free verse) ....3
Morning Light Haiku ................................6
Spring Breeze (haiku) ...............................7
Floating Leaf (haiku) ................................8
Broken Branch (haiku) .............................9
Before the Storm (choka) ........................10
Snowflake (haiku) ....................................11
Winter Day (choka) .................................12
Raindrop (cinquain) ................................13
Sing of Spring (haiku) .............................14
Sun Serenity (haiku) ................................15
Haiku for a Ladybug ...............................16
Spring Afternoon (haiku).........................17
Wind Song (haiku) ..................................18
Haiku 22309 ...........................................19
Setting Sun (haiku)..................................20
Starlight (haiku)......................................21
Hush of Night (haiku).............................22
Colors of Dawn

Peach-gold tones shimmer

-- mist from twilight disappears
kiss of sun peeks through
swirls of pink and lavender
bids a gentle good morning

~1~
In Life

Trees bring forth new buds

soft winds blow, through sunshine skies
-- nature basks in life.

Photographer: Michael David Swanson, Sr.

courtesy www.michaeldavidportraits.com

~2~
 Sun Kiss - Welcome the Day

Kissed so softly by the sun

warmth on my face
wind in my hair
enjoying this place

of quiet contentment

at peace with life

letting my problems

go ....
... flow...
out into this

sunfilled
sunshine
sunglow
sunkissed
 afternoon
without a care.

Breeze blows gently

I close my eyes ...

soul drifts along

entwined with nature

precious moment
peaceful solitude

~d
r
i
f
t
i
n
g~
dreamlike...

kiss of sun

hot on my eyelids -

my heart open

I welcome the day.

“Autumn Sky”
--photo taken by Amy Merideth Swanson

~5~
Morning Light Haiku

The morning sunrise

So beautiful to behold
Glowing breath of light

Photographer: Michael David Swanson, Sr.

courtesy www.michaeldavidportraits.com

~6~
Spring Breeze

sunshine streaming down

soft breeze whistles through the trees;
leaf rides on wind's wings

~7~
Floating Leaf

Little floating leaf

Softly swirling in the wind
Unending journey

~8~
Broken Branch

Winter-gray tree branch

Hangs low, stricken by the storm
Broken... but alive.

~9~
Before the Storm

Life is strangely still

scent of rain is in the air
animals are listening
Sky becoming dark
wind begins to softly blow
gently whirling leaves play tag
Storm clouds rolling in
thunder rumbles distantly
wind now blowing forcefully
creatures take cover
lightning flashes in the sky
raindrop falls on my window.

~10~
Snowflake

Tiny white snowflake

iridescent purity
rides on winter's winds.

Photographer: Michael David Swanson, Sr.

courtesy www.michaeldavidportraits.com

~11~
Winter Day

Cloudy winter day

sky is gray and motionless
silver-white frost blankets all
chill runs through my bones
grass once green is dry and brown;
tree branches are stark and bare
northern winds blow cold
thick clouds hide sunlight from life
nature sleeps, awaiting spring.

Photographer: Michael David Swanson, Sr.

courtesy www.michaeldavidportraits.com

~12~
Raindrop

Raindrop
sparkling water
drizzling lazily down
underneath cloudy winter skies
cleansing.

~13~
Sing of Spring

Sun shines playfully

tender buds reach for the sky
new life sings of Spring.

~14~
Sun Serenity

Rays of sun so bright

Streams of soft serenity
Light tickles my soul

“The Path Not Taken”

-- photo taken by Amy Merideth Swanson

~15~
Haiku for a Ladybug

Spotted ladybug
Snuggled tightly in her niche
Warm and quite content

~16~
Spring Afternoon

Warm spring afternoon

robin hopping in my yard -
worm darts in his hole!

~17~
Wind Song

Melodious breath
Wind's gentle song sings softly
Lullaby of life.

“Wind Playing Tag with Leaves”

--photo taken by Amy Merideth Swanson

~18~
Haiku 22309

wind blows warm and crisp

sunshine streams in my window-
distant train rumbles.

~19~
Setting Sun

Golden red sunset

mysterious soft brilliance-
wonder of nightfall.

“Sunblast”
-- courtesy of www.michaeldavidportraits.com
Photographer: Michael David Swanson, Sr.

~20~
Starlight

Starlight, silver white

Twinkles in the winter sky
Holding my heart's wish

Digital Artist: Amy Merideth Swanson

www.artscapesbyamy.webs.com
~21~
Hush of Night

Moon hides behind clouds

starlight dance beckons to me --
quiet hush of night

“October Moon”
--photo taken by Amy Merideth Swanson

~22~
** Images

Some of these images are mine ~ photos & artwork

where indicated. My art site is
http://www.artscapesbyamy.com

All other photos were taken by my husband Mike, a

wonderful photographer. His website is
http://www.michaeldavidportraits.com.

Clipart images have been gathered from several free

sources on the internet, available to all... my thanks
goes out to all the talented artists that give freely of
their time & abilities to share with everyone. The links
at which I found them are below:

http://webweaver.nu/clipart (stars, birds)

http://cksinfo.com/ (nature- flowers, clouds, leaf, suns)
http://www.designedtoat.com/ (weather, flowers, suns
and moons)
http://www.freeclipartnow.com (flowers, plants)
http://members.tripod.com/~Aimillie/ (ladybugs)
http://www.coolarchive.com (spring daisy)
http://www.clker.com (plants, trees)
About the Author:
Amy Merideth Swanson grew up in the hills of
Tennessee. As a child she often observed life
through nature, & was always awestruck at the
simplicity & yet profound beauty to be found
within each flower, leaf, rock, stream, or
creature. She loved to write poetry & quickly
found her favorite thing to write about was, of
course... nature.

She resides with her husband, daughter, & cat in

south-eastern Tennessee, which has afforded her
even more beautiful things to write about...
majestic mountains & stunning hilltop sunrises.
It is her hope that you experience peace &
serenity within the words she has written for you.
You may write to her at
brown.eyedgirl575@gmail.com

“It is my hope this book touches your heart, your

emotions... your spirit. Wishing you a life full of
love, laughter & sunflower sunshine smiles
always!” Love, Amy