Field Notes: Poetry Inspired by Nature

Bringing his love of poetry and the natural world together exclusively for Ironwood, we’re proud to introduce and partner with David Starkey, former SB Poet Laureate and the Founding Director of SBCC’s Creative Writing Program. Curating new work in each issue, we’ll work with David to offer live readings in The Garden in the coming months. For more information, watch for announcements at sbbg.org

The Path

The path around the meadow rewards close attention: the wee rosettes

of the Catalina Island live-forever,

tiny yellow blooms of the saffron

buckwheat, and the noiseless ringing

of the inconspicuous canyon coral bells.

One experience links to the next:

fingertips that stroke the thready texture

of the juniper’s bark are soon pricked

by the needlepoint leaf-tips

of Our Lord’s Candle. And scooped

from the ground, the tough little leaves

of the leather oak rustle in one’s palm.

Summer red berries of the summer-holly,

pale green leaves of the white sage.

Even poison oak is allowed to thrive

here where everything depends

on everything else. Stand at the southern

edge, gazing toward the mountains.

Don’t those California poppies dotting

the meadow look like flecks of gold

scattered in a Sierra stream? If you could,

wouldn’t you bend down and gather them?

–David Starkey