Nature is Calling

Grass of mysterious light,
Do you become dry from lack of love?

Nature has this bearing on all of us,
Take out a white paper.

Draw the red cardinal bird
Singing wet songs for your neighbors.

Purple lilacs left a trace of dry dirt
But for once

They were alive with love for you,
You passed by them every day

In a sky filled with desirable dreams.
Look at hidden unmasked beauty—

Stop your dirty car
Examine the dark cypress trees,

Their tall timeless magnificent presence.
Hovers tracing doubt,

Keep the charcoals close to your heart,
You’ll never know when

You’ll become a budding artist.
Even if a frightful age,

The horizon has your name
Its colors transform a petty mood.

Stop writing your grocery list,
Sit down, breathe flowers,

May tulips or June blooms.
Tomatoes or cucumbers

Bay leaves and fresh basil plants;
Smell the time of year,

It’s waiting for you to look up
Listen to the sounds of the nameless bird,

The silence is filled with your thoughts
Become young again,

Be a gardener of the earth for now,
Let the words settle and take a break.

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Christina Strigas is a trilingual poet, raised by Greek immigrants, and has written three poetry books. Her latest, Love & Vodka, has been featured by CBC Books in, “Your Ultimate Canadian Poetry List: 68 Poetry Collections Recommended by you.”

She is currently working on her fourth upcoming poetry book, Love & Metaxa.

In her spare time, Christina enjoys foreign cinema, reading the classics, and cooking traditional Greek recipes that have been handed down from her grandmother.