by Jeff Barclay

Every morning I get my exercise by walking three miles in the cemetery behind my house. I appreciate this daily walk more now than ever, not just for the exercise I get but for the time I have every day to commune with nature, breathe fresh air, and clear my head from all that is going in in this world today. I am a Vietnam veteran and on my walks I often take note of the grave stones of veterans buried here. There are so many here, so many men and women who served this country with honor. It makes me so proud to walk among them.

This cemetery has many different types of trees including flowering cherry and crab apple. Right now the cherry trees are so beautiful with their pink and white blooms glowing in the spring sunshine. After my walk the other day, I grabbed my camera and returned to the cherry trees to get some pictures. While there, a poem started swimming in my head. I would like to share that with you in hope that it and the photos will brighten your day in this time of uncertainty.

Spring, that time of year when Mother Nature breathes new life into all she touches and puts on a display of colors that is so very pleasing to the eye.

Flowers of Springtime by Jeff Barclay

March winds are blowing the air seems so fresh gone the stank smell of winter’s darkness

The robins are singing while building their nests all birds seem so happy to be back in the quest

With signs of spring everywhere just look around the whole world is blooming look what I found

First up the crocus so tiny and sweet a bed of bright color laid at my feet

Then tulips and daffodils make themselves known as out of frosty ground they have grown

Forsythia can brighten up every back yard it’s yellow sun like color can be see from afar

The cherry trees show off their white and pink bouquet the flowers so beautiful I wish they would stay

Celebrate what’s right in life!

Photo by Jeff Barclay

Photo by Jeff Barclay