Daisy and Desert

Daisy and desert
share something
simple, clean, unashamed.

Overshadowed by extravagant
showy sophistication
they stand unabashed
barely noticed
old or old-fashioned
widespread, common

disdained
because we demand novelty
variety, sensory saturation
exotic or eccentric.

Desert and daisy
reveal to the curious
that ordinary is extraordinary
familiar holds unknown
simplicity refreshes
humility hides wonder.

Claire Belberg lives in the Adelaide Hills where her garden, along with the flora of the countryside and outback, is one of the inspirations for her writing. Today’s Poet’s Corner accompanying photo of her subject was taken by her in the Alice Springs Desert Park in August last year. Claire’s poetry has appeared in various outlets, including Tabor College’s ‘inScribe Journal of Creative Writing’ and the Pax Press anthology ‘Women’s Work’, and her novel ‘The Golden Hour’ was published through Wipf and Stock of the US in 2017. Current works-in-progress are a young adults’ novel; and two collections of poetry, one on dementia, the other on the birds attracted to her garden. She has a blog here.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.