Flower City

During it's industrial days decades ago, Rochester, NY was known as "Flour City" because of the flour mills that were present in the area's economy.  Now that those days are gone, the city calls itself "Flower City".  Flowers indeed!  Spring is a long time coming, and is short lived, but blooms abound and there is much beauty in the area this time of year.  

I took these few photos in Rochester's Highland Park in 2006.  Every year I suspect that we don't pay enough attention to the beauty of life's renewal that manifests itself through nature each spring.  

Rick Baker 

Rochester NY 

May 13, 2009 

Photos   © 2006 by R. Burnett Baker 

ducks

again this spring

they return to nest 

among shrubs, 

against buildings, 

not fearful of me, 

or cars 

or noise 

from human bustle. 

glancing at me 

as I walk to work, 

ducks 

waddle away unfazed. 

how humbling 

to be deemed 

harmless 

amidst fumes of 

human chaos. 

Poem  © 2006 by R. Burnett Baker 

life stirs 

excited birdsong from 

leafless trees,

melodies on new wind...

squirrels scurry frantic 

to grassy pantries, 

feast unearthed...

polecat odor 

becomes fragrance fresh, 

a sign of senses 

electric...

step lightly! 

step cautious! 

life stirs anew 

March to April to spring. 

shed coats 

to the breeze 

the sun 

the season, 

peeling dead flesh 

away from 

frozen bones. 

Photo ©2006 by R. Burnett Baker 

Poem ©2007 by R. Burnett Baker 

 Photo taken by R. Baker in Highland Park,Rochester, NY, May 2006.

 

mist rising

fine morning mist 

fragrance chilled, 

awakenings hushed

upon sunlight dawning. 

nightwater mist

caressing grassblades 

rolls onto Earth, 

evaporates as 

heavenly dreams. 

silent chill forgotten, 

life claims 

morning. 

day begins: 

a fine 

mist rising. 

Photo © 2006 by R. Burnett Baker

Poem © 2007 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo taken in Highland Park, Rochester, NY 2006

Poem from chapbook  "Bird Can Sing", by R. Baker, 2007

  hope    faith

hope    faith

defines faith    defines hope

when reality offers    when reality offers 

nothing but faith    nothing but hope 

to define    to define 

hope.    faith.

"hope" © 2005 by R. Burnett Baker 

"faith" © 1988 by R. Burnett Baker 

A Brief Communion

Several days ago I saw my first ladybug of the season. Funny how I usually avoid bugs of any kind, but for some reason I'm attracted to ladybugs.  Just don't tell Freud.  

When a ladybug is wandering on my car windshield, or along a sidewalk I'm compelled to lift her onto my finger and guide her to the grass, or flowers, or somewhere that seems a more natural habitat for a ladybug.  And safe.  Of course she could fly on her own, but don't tell her; I'd rather have that brief communion with nature, tiny though it may be. 

Rick Baker 

Rochester, New York 

May 3, 2009 

ladybug

ride my hand, 

ladybug 

as I place

you gently 

in the garden.

Poem (c)2008 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo (c)2009 by R. Burnett Baker