Tag Archives: cactus blossom

The Phoenix Rises in Fall: #TankaTuesday

Colleen at Wordcraft poetry suggested writing a syllabic poem about the mythological Phoenix or Thunderbird.

Because I live in Phoenix, Arizona, I wanted to write about the city. Phoenix was named after the bird of myth, but is often associated with it because of the extreme heat of the summers. In reality, it earned the name because it was a new city built on the ruins of the Hohokam civilization. I wrote a double tanka so I could work with both notions.

With flat-roofed houses

and white adobe mission,

they built a city

on the ancient vill ruins

of the Hohokam nation.

In celebration

of the fiery eponym

the city’s named for,

every summer it burns

to ash, then rises in fall.

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Fall brings perfect weather, new and colorful flowers, and relief after the hellish summers.

City of Phoenix flag

As we move into summer, though, we do have lovely cactus flowers.

Grand dog Theo (love to babysit him)

When I take Theo out I try to walk in shade because I am very aware of the danger of heat to his paws.

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Arizona Spring II

For this one I had to climb down a steep gravel hill and across the wash and up another steep hill. But don’t think these beauties happen spontaneously. The master gardener I live with plans them with great care. I wish he’d plant them where it was easier for me to photograph them!

Notice the shadows.  Just TRY photographing in Arizona without shadows. Worst (and best) light EVER for photography here in this state.

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Arizona Spring

So many cactus blossoms this year in Arizona!

Here is the latest. It’s from a pot of mixed cacti next to my back door.

I’m spending time with my daughter this week and next! Hope your weekend is a beautiful one.

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