My Azalea - I Promised

I promised to feature some pictures of my backyard, neglected azalea yesterday.  Here she is!

You can see the pot it is still in, and how it leans to grab some sun.

It looked delighted that I took pictures of her.  So though she is not in my front yard where she rightly belongs (she doesn't realize that still we, and the UPS and FedEx guys are the only ones to see who would see her in the front yard anyway, as we aren't exactly on a heavily traveled road...), I actually can see her all day every day, all seasons, from where I sit to write.  So in fact, she gets much more viewing time than she would in the front yard!  She has been one of the most delightful surprises I've ever been gifted.

Portrait of Miss Azalea

Azalea's a sweetheart.

Never complains;

She weathers the storms

Rejoicing in rains. 

 Though Rose may be sweet

Bringing others to tears;

I'm awaiting Azalea

As spring sun appears.

One day she's asleep

White cloaked with snowflakes;

Next time as you peek

 Zaly yawns and awakes.

She's held on to leaves

Darkened against snow

Until it is time

To put on her glow.

Translucent and light

No longer concealed;

Delightful and delicate

Her beauty revealed.

Fine feathered flowers

Of lavender petals

Filter the sunlight

As a pink halo settles;

And I am smiling,

Miss Azalea in view,

As she waits in the pines 

For each fresh morning dew. 

by Donna JT Smith