
On any trip I take I try to find a garden, whether a tiny patch of flowers in someone’s front yard or a botanical garden where I can get lost, inside my head and on the trail.
So I took the road less traveled between scratching shrubs, dirt, and rock, where spiny pine needles carpeted the earth. My eyes focused on delicate petals flying miraculous colors, every shade of purple, orange, red and yellow.
The scent of oak, a whiff of lavender, the sight of quaking grass reminds me that beauty exists among the everyday trials of life, a day of media news, or the sameness we sometimes feel.
I’ve been to this particular garden about seven times. There is always a new flower, a blooming tree or bush to entice me so I carry a journal, pen and my cell phone for photos.
This time, my thoughts spilled haikus, which is a good thing since I just read that Denver Botanical Gardens is having a haiku contest.

A plume of smoke rose
lion-headed above the forest
welcoming summer

A tilt of face to
children reading together
a devoted mother
The stone sculpture is from Zimbabwe.

Forever entwined
Wrapped in a fragrance of love
Standing firm as one

This last one is not a haiku. I love the wisdom and peace of this quote.
Have a fun 4th of July. Enjoy.