There is so much poetry in nature.  It is a poetry that speaks without words.

Here’s some poetry I came across this morning while doing chores.

• While collecting eggs – A muted colored, still moist snakeskin. Recently shed, it had unhinged itself from it’s serpentine owner with the help of friction (as it passed underneath the white enamel tub that the duck/hens use for bathing and drinking). I was more mindful collecting eggs in the dim pre-dawn light, lest it’s new skin version had found its way into the nesting boxes. No words written on the skin, but it spoke of a form now too small for its serpentine body.
• While tending the garden – I found poetry in pollen grains hitching a ride on bees; and in bees acting as the legs of plants. No words uttered as they go about their work, but they complete a reproductive act that many plants cannot do on their own. Poetry.  (Below: the poetry of bees at work on the ingredients we’ll use in the Poet’s Recipe: Mint, Strawberries, Pomegranate)

• Why talk of poetry? 1) Because poetry is, in part, about being Present. And present to the world right in front of us. And  2) Poetry is also, often, about Associations.  The natural world gives us many many examples of associations  (interconnections),  like spiderwebs and hummingbird nests (see March 2015).  And even bees and ice cream.
•  Which leads us right into this weeks recipe, and invites us all to be poets –  both Present to what is in front of us, and more aware of the Associations/connections in front of our eye; and on our tongues.  What do bees and the ice cream (or yogurt) you hold in your hand  have to do with each other?  I am so glad you asked. The milk that came from the cow (or goat or sheep) for your ice cream means that the grasses that the cow ate were pollinated. Whether your cloven hoofed bovine (cow) ate range grasses and shrubs, or field grown grasses like alfalfa, chances are a bee pollinated those grasses.

                                                  RECIPE: POET’S LATE SUMMER SMOOTHIE

Savory Version: (Below)

In a blender combine:

2 cups of Plain Yogurt (I used goat, but that is strong for many people

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds.

2 Tablespoons each of mint mint, cucumber.

Add milk if you like a thinner version.

Sweet Version (Below)

2 cups Ice cream or Sweetened Yogurt,

1 cup fruit and berries of your choice. I added pomegranate, strawberries, and blueberries.

Honey to taste.

Milk if you like a thinner treat; the consistency seems to vary depending on how much juice is in the berries and whether or not you use yogurt or ice cream.

blend

Vegan Version:

2 cups Coconut Milk Ice Cream  – and blend with the flavors you like.

Note that the berries in the photos are not pristine nor perect – perfect for this kind of a snack so you can use up the berries/fruit  you have,