A Pantoum of Appreciation for Palm Trees

Palm trees stand as a gateway

They are guardians with outstretched arms,

Welcoming me to a corner of the world

That already knows the warmth of spring and summer.

♦

They are guardians with outstretched arms,

Beckoning me to throw off my shoes,

Welcoming me to a corner of the world.

Cool sandals let my feet breathe.

♦

Beckoning me to throw off my shoes,

To melt into the bliss of vacation days,

Cool sandals let my feet breathe,

I begin relaxing, basking.

♦

I melt into the bliss of vacation days,

Palm trees stand stalwart or sway with breezes.

I begin relaxing, basking,

Under cypress trees laden with Spanish moss.

♦

Palm trees stand stalwart or sway with breezes.

Cypress trees sway like weeping willow branches,

Their branches laden with Spanish moss.

The warm breath of optimism blesses me.

♦

Cypress trees sway like weeping willow branches,

A welcome retreat from the busyness of our lives.

The warm breath of optimism blesses me.

When I am home again, my place mats remind me of those days.

♦

A welcome retreat from the busyness of our lives,

My palm tree place mats touch my memories.

When I am home again, my place mats remind me of those days

Of our Florida family vacation.

My palm tree place mats touch my memories.

They remind me of those days

Of our Florida family vacation.

My life force is renewed with hope.

♦

They remind me of those days.

The world smiles with me.

My life force is renewed with hope,

With the warmth of the summer sun.

♦

The world smiles with me.

The world glows with merriment,

With the warmth of the summer sun.

I dance in puddles barefoot.

♦

The world glows with merriment.

My clothes billow in the breezes.

I dance in puddles barefoot.

I throw up my sun hat and leap up to catch it.

My clothes billow in the breezes.

My bare feet pad through sand on the seashore.

I throw up my sun hat and leap up to catch it.

My daughter does the same.

♦

My bare feet pad through sand on the seashore,

I see an island in the distance.

My daughter does the same.

Our energy has been blessed by our encounter with palm trees.

♦

I see an island in the distance.

I see a ship that draws near to welcome me aboard.

My daughter does the same.

We are on an adventure to find more palm trees.

I see a ship that draws near to welcome me aboard.

The crew welcomes us with lays of apple seeds sewn together.

We are on an adventure to find more palm trees.

She dances on the deck.

♦

The crew welcomes us with lays of apple seeds sewn together.

They present us with pineapple shakes to sip.

We are on an adventure to find more palm trees.

We are ready to sail the seven seas.