Nature's Grace: Guest Poet Dayle Olson's Wondrous Reflections
Nature’s grace is indeed the subject of guest poet Dayle Olson’s reflections in today’s very special feature. The acclaimed published poet makes her debut on The Renaissance Garden Guy with her contribution of two profoundly beautiful works that thoughtfully celebrate some of the natural world’s more gentle, vicissitudinous glories.
Greetings, readers and subscribers, and welcome back. Got a real treat for you today. I’m entirely thrilled and honored to welcome guest contributor and acclaimed poet Dayle Olson to The Renaissance Garden Guy. Her work has captivated me since I first followed a link to one of her poems on Twitter last year. Her brilliant poetry has been featured in a number of renowned publications, as you’ll read below, and today, two absolute Olson jewels await you right here. Please enjoy “Growing Season” and “Rainier Cherry.” (And please make sure to stick around to the end for Ms. Olson’s bio, and links to her wonderful social media content.)
J.G.S., February, 2023
Growing Season
Dayle Olson
I will know it’s summer when the nuthatch
scales the fragrant bark of woodland cedar,
when berry vines seek out the sunlight patch,
and young sparrows mob the backyard feeder.
I will know it’s summer when the frogs sing,
voices joined in marshland jubilation,
beneath evening stars packed dense and wheeling,
under all the wonder of creation.
Summer fades away as zucchinis trek,
stealthily leaving gardens by the score,
navigating fences and terraced deck,
innocently gathering at each door.
I will know it’s over when dahlias nod,
heavy purple heads bending toward sod.
“Growing Season” © 2023. Dayle Olson
Rainier Cherry
Dayle Olson
Down a road I absent minded wander,
Towering clouds and sun above my head.
Ancient plantings slow me down to ponder,
How fruit and flowers thrive beyond the dead.
Rainier cherry orchard, ripe and yellow,
Long forgotten in the harvest cycle.
Planted by an optimistic fellow,
A young Scotsman named McHenry Michael.
No fence now to guard the spilling bounty,
Branches fifty years without a pruning.
Chest high grasses unkept by the county,
Idle frogs and crickets, busy tuning.
Plump and juicy, cherries promise rapture,
Neglected sweets, ready for the capture.
“Rainier Cherry” © 2023. Dayle Olson
Exquisite, no?
No other written medium has the power to enchant, and to simultaneously transfix and transport, as does brilliantly rendered poetry. Dayle Olson’s work does exactly those things. She is indeed an enchantress, and a most masterful ambassador of her craft. I sincerely hope that we’ll be seeing more of her work here on The Renaissance Garden Guy.
Please find Dayle’s bio, and social media links below.
Of special note, this feature’s beautiful image of those lovely little yellow Rainier cherries was provided by Dayle, and served as her inspiration for “Rainier Cherry.”
Dayle Olson (she/her) hosts a poetry open mic in a small river town in Southwest Washington. Her poetry has been published by Coast Weekend, The Chinook Observer, HipFish, Haunted Words Press, Timber Ghost Press and was featured by Humanities Washington in the Poetic Routes project. She recently was invited to read her poetry at the Angry Ghosts Poetry Competition in Suffolk, England. She is on the board of The Writer’s Guild of Astoria and hosts a monthly radio program, River Writers, on KMUN 91.9. For fun, she makes pocket zines filled with tiny poems and nature drawings.
It’s been my absolute pleasure to host Dayle here today, and to feature these two beautiful poems. I hope you’ve enjoyed them as much as I have. When you’re back here for a visit, you’ll of course be able to find these gems, along with works from all of The Renaissance Garden Guy’s other fabulous guests, in Guest Writers and Contributors.
As always, my dear readers and subscribers, I thank you for your kind interest and your readership.
Cheers, and Happy Gardening!
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Love love love the poems, especially the cherry one. I am such a cherry-holic.
Blessings
Wonderful works, aren’t they? I’m really glad you got the chance to read them, Annie. Dayle is such an amazing artist. If you get the opportunity, I do recommend checking out her social media links for more of her work, and for more related content. Thank you so much for reading these, Annie. And thank you for your kind interest and readership here. I’m truly grateful.
Thank you for your kind comments, Ann. It is a joy for me to receive feedback from readers. I love cherries, too!
~ Dayle
Two wonderful little gems. I can feel the warmth of the summer sun and can taste those sweet delicious yellow cherries. I look forward to enjoying them very soon. Thank you both for sharing your talents with all of us.
Thank you, Kevin, for reading this feature. I’m so glad you got the opportunity to read Dayle’s wonderful work, and that you’ve found it so delightful. She’s absolutely amazing. It is a true honor to feature her poetry here. Her ability to convey thought, feeling, and sensation in her work, in such seemingly effortless fashion, is remarkable. These two poems are perfect manifestations of this ability. It is truly lovely, poignant work, Kevin, and again, I’m so happy to know that you’ve enjoyed it.
I truly appreciate your comments, Kevin. Thank you for taking a moment to read my poems. Not too much longer to wait for those delicious cherries! ~ Dayle
Thanks for sharing!
It is always a great pleasure when Iva Kate from Ivy Gate drops in for a visit! I’m so glad you enjoyed Dayle’s poetry. These poems are beautiful, arent they? I’m honored to feature them here. I thought that you particularly would love these two works. I’m so glad you got the chance to read them. Thank you!
Thank you, Iva Kate, for reading my poems! ~ Dayle
Beautiful poetry, and a very special addition to your diverse website!
Dayle’s work is wonderful, isn’t it? It truly is a very special addition to the site. I’m beyond honored to feature these beautiful poems here, and I’m so glad you got the opportunity to read them. Thank you for your kind and lovely thoughts, Mary.
Mary, thank you for reading my poems and for your kind words. ~ Dayle
Thank you for sharing Dayle’s lovely poetry.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it, Rick. Beautiful work, isn’t it? I’m entirely honored to feature her brilliant poetry here. Thank you so much for tuning in, Rick. I truly appreciate it.
Rick, I appreciate the time you took to read these poems and to share your thoughtful comment. ~ Dayle
This poetry is very original, expressive and appropriate to the subject, it has a beautiful rhythm to it…
absolutely enchanting.
Beautiful, love it
Thank you for this new discovery🙏💖🌸
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Dayle’s poetry, Roxxy. She’s a brilliant poet, and her work is absolutely lovely. I’m honored to host her here. Thank you for reading the feature, Roxxy, and for your always lovely thoughts and comments.
Roxxy, your comments really touched my heart. Thank you! ~ Dayle