Chants d'Auvergne

Unexpectedly, music conjurs a welcome calm. Chants d'Auvergne. Late afternoon. The day, glorious in its latter hours. Kauri on the ridge. My horizon. That wonderful yellow-tinged green. Sky, blue fit to burst. Male blackbird on the fence. Cleans its beak. Newly planted kowhai. Encircled by stones. Sports new growth. Visible from my perch. Tuis, watch this space. Rhododendron, at other times tolerated, forgiven in its cerise splendour. De-nuded liquid amber, in silvery winter guise. A distraction for the mind. Harsher reality temporarily laid aside. Evidence of parallel realities. Juxtaposed.