Saturday, February 6, 2021

Date Palms in San Diego

 [slightly revised]


Calm palms in San Diego look like crooked
columns composed of brown-gray stones stacked
slowly over years by Franciscan monks. When
the columns reach a height uncertain, bladed
fronds formally erupt. Golden dates
materialize, suspend themselves like surreal
swarms of gemstones. A brown-grey bird

stretches upside-down to pick a piece
of date-flesh with its beak. Pacific breezes
nudge softly like seduction. The tapered
columns bend, nod, never topple. Flexibility
of vegetation, patience of stone: palm.


hans ostrom 2021

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