YOSEMITE RENGA

by

Suzanne Weller

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6-20-07 renga

valley meadow walk
hear footsteps on wooden planks
eighty percent trees

natural fire cycle is
every eleven years

white man puts out fires
so little trees can flourish
ponderosa pines

incense cedars provide shade
perfect hideaway for deer

low watertable
benefits the forest trees
makes meadows smaller

greatest advantage of course
is fewer mosquito bogs

the blasted moraine
over by El Capitan
might be the main cause

Lake Yosemite filled in
the lake became a meadow

and the meadow is
now becoming a forest
like Tuolumne

male redwinged blackbird singing
in his own territory

attracting females
scaring away male rivals
before the attack

showy milkweed is poison
not to monarch butterflies

but to Steller Jays
who haven't learned their lesson
and gobble one up

the bright blue milkweed beetle
drains the poison out before

feasting on the leaves
of the milky rubbery
showy milkwood plant

red and yellow Columbine
nectar made for Hummingbirds

or were hummingbirds
made for Columbine flowers
it is mutual

Lupines known for their blueness
make pollinators orange


6-27-07 Bear Renga

cinnamon brown blond
the american black bear
is a diverse race

omnivore eats everything
prefers succulent termites

insect colonies
bees and ants delectable
arachnid desert

curved claws for digging climbing
under logs up the tree trunks

daybed for napping
nesting in meadow grasses
under apple trees

rock caves for hibernation
or for deep meditation

bear and buck struggle
in the shadow of El Cap
in Merced River

predator eats predator
Curry bear kills coyote

ravens and blue jays
waiting to finish off meal
or sometimes road kill

7-11-07 Mariposa Grove renga


a fallen monarch
with the U.S. Cavalry
posing on her trunk

Yosemite history
in the Mariposa Grove

Galen Clark was here
lived alone in Upper Grove
in cozy cabin

illnesses and injuries
disappeared in mountain air

for ninety-five years
five foot violet lupines
surrounded his home

meadows and the grandest trees
made a garden paradise

the Grizzly Giant
searches with a heavy arm
an ancient creature

his crown fell off long ago
maybe when struck by lightning

the heartwood is dead
excreted from the sapwood
it burns easily

the outer ring is alive
with nutrients and water

unlike sugar pines
big trees have tiny green cones
chickorees love them

a mature sequoia tree
is a miracle baby

one in a million
seeds can come to fruition
they have special needs

plenty of sunshine, water,
mineral soil and not duff

high elevation
west side of the sierras
California

they absolutely refuse
to reproduce anywhere

they will grow elsewhere
but they will not reproduce
anywhere but here

native Californians
family, friends and partners

shallow roots extend
one hundred and fifty feet
in all directions

but what about the tap root?
it's really not necessary

sharing the present
and a lengthy history
with roots intertwined

the Faithful Couple is one
in fact they share the same bark

not stuck in the mud
but soaring in the heavens
with the Milky Way

just tilt your head back and see
brave and mighty silhouettes

from behind the ridge
he discovered the big trees
what a big surprise

luxurious upper grove
flower butterfly meadow

8-15-07 renga

misty Bridalveil
Falls is really Pohono
an evil spirit

Awaneechee Indians
are a Miwok Piute mix

chased from the valley
by an angry John Savage
from the gaping mouth

shipped away to Fresno Flats
an Oakhurst reservation

dogwood trees' white leaves
will attract pollinators
they look like flowers

wild ginger leaves also hide
tiny flowers underneath

Tuolumne means
place of the many squirrels
Belding ground squirrels

the meadow is for females
males allowed one day a year

7-27-07 renga

the beautiful buck
full rack of healthy antlers
stops for a moment

to take drink from the Merced
admired by a spectator

with a high shrill cry
the mountain lion pounces
mule deer shakes him off

but the patient cat is shrewd
delivering a side blow

he knocks his prey down
then straight for the neck he dives
crushing jaws bite down

adds insult to injury
holds head down under water

another lion
tries to steal the prize away
deadly fight ensues

killer cat victorious
drags venison into woods

8-30-07 renga

peregrine falcon
perched on a granite boulder
intently gazing

yellow eyes barely blinking
head turning watching watching

you are just like me
lifeguard perched on a tower
surveying the scene

flinching at the slightest noise
extremely sensitive bird

wild in your freedom
extremely noble creature
rare and sought after

suddenly you disappear
as you suddenly appeared

thanks for your visit
I was feeling quite lonesome
you made me joyful

you can come back anytime
my very fine feathered friend


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