Flowering

Close up photo of almond flowers, with the winter sun in the background.

Nurtured by the sun:
first flowers of the season;
smiling mother, earth.

Merry winter

close up photo of a flower of the zygocactus plant — Zygocactus, also known as false Christmas cactus

Southern hemisphere;
blossoming bright in July
false Christmas cactus.

Strong

close up photo of a small, single yellow rose bud in a bush

Bold front-line soldier
braving winter vagaries;
tiny rose stands up.

Wakening

photo of the morning sun as seen through a zygo cactus

Little ball of hope
seeps warmth into stiff cold limbs;
winter sun on plants.

Leaves

photo of a mostly-bare tree branch, with some yellow and green leaves remain

Making way for change:
mother tree lets offspring go;
teen moves out of home