The Wissahickon from Forbidden Drive
Winter descended,
hearth fires banished the gloom,
red flames burned to ash
when spring rains came tumbling down
silvered twigs turned green
This tanka is for Colleen Chesebro’s Weekly Tanka Challenge. The prompt words were fire and rain.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Is that a 2017 photo? I know that scene well. But it’s hard to imagine spring blooms this morning as I look out upon another snow squall.
Yes, this was from a few weeks ago in February when Doug and I ate outdoors at the Valley Green Inn, and then we took a long walk. We’re expecting rain and snow late tonight and cold temperatures over the weekend.
I know this creek well as it runs by my sister’s property in North Wales, east of Philadelphia. Favorite line: silvered twigs turned green 🙂
Thanks, Marian. I think that’s my favorite line, as well. 🙂
Beautiful work, Merril.
Thank you very much, Mark!
I love that area of Philadelphia. My parents grew up in Germantown and I believe my mother and father talked about swimming and ice skating in the Wissahickon park area when they were kids. Later, after John and I married, we would wander the trails down there with our cocker spaniel, Brandy. Your phrase: “silvered twigs turned green” capture the beauty of the park transforming from winter to spring.
Thank you so much, Susan.
It is a beautiful area. Well-to-do 18th century Philadelphians used to have summer houses in Germantown. Doug and I like to eat at Valley Green and then walk off our lunch. 🙂 There were lots of dogs about that day I took this photo. Some people had a group of dogs on the other side of the creek, and the dogs were playing in the water.
The setting of your photo is also a poem. Love the sounds of Indian names like Wissahickon. And who could resist Forbidden Drive?? Beautiful, subtle colors in both image and words.
Thank you very much, Shirley. It is a lovely area.
So much colour and life in your tanka, Merril. It really captures the eruption of spring.
Thank you, Jane. I was writing a darker one, but I decided to embrace the light. 🙂
When you can, it’s the best thing to do 🙂
Yes. I agree.
What a great image and story your Tanka tells. I am so ready for spring and you nailed my sentiments exactly! ❤
Thank you, Colleen! 🙂
Beautiful colors, both photo and tanka. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe.
Very evocative. Right now I am in 91 degrees in CA. It feels post-Spring haha!
Thanks, Luanne. Oh, I’m not ready for summer temperatures at all, but we’re supposed to be getting some snow today. Yuck! Enjoy your California adventure.
With spring on our doorstep, it looks like the next 5 days will deliver a bit of a chill.
It’s snowing here now. It seemed that trees and flowers bloomed overnight last night. I feel bad for the farmers.
YUK!
I agree.
Back to temperatures in the low thirties, this weekend, with snow and/or freezing rain. I almost took the advice of the local Master Gardeners to plant grass seed the first week of March. I’ve seen some of our “silvered twigs turned green” and hope the temperature doesn’t drop too low.
It’s in the thirties here, too, and our daffodils are now covered in snow. It was really coming down for a while. I hope it doesn’t affect the farmers around here.
I like that you gave us some light, green elements, rushing waters and a great perspective from up high looking down! It was breathtaking, Merril!
Thanks so much, Robin.
We were on the path looking down at the creek. 🙂 That was when the weather was unseasonably warm.
The cliff was such a great place to take a picture from, Merril. The water wasn’t muddied from flooding which made the rocks appear to be like a bubbling brook. I enlarged the photo and realize the water wasn’t rushing and the white spots weren’t foam or bubbles. Hope my “new” vision of the beauty in this scene still doesn’t totally negate my original words. . . 🙂
Robin, you can admire the photo and poem in any ways that appeal to you. 🙂
It’s not actually a cliff–just a path along and above the creek. The water does rush at various spots over the rocks, and there is a little waterfall there, too. (Not here in this photo though.) 🙂
Oh, good! My eyes sometimes don’t always catch the details, Merril. I do read your writing at least twice to give myself time to absorb meaning and content. 🙂 Heading off to bed. . .
I must have already been in bed when you wrote this. 🙂
Ha ha! I am a night owl but I know this isn’t so great on our health.
I liked our “weather breaks” in winter this year but do feel bad for buds and nature’s wonders being disrupted and nearly “fooled” by the warmth. xo
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A nice one.
Thank you!
All of this. I had missed this. Just all of this.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Just glad I found it, I spent some time going through your gorgeous work – oh how you are talented – I’m very appreciative of that and glad to read you.
Oh my–how kind! Thank you so very much!