Beauty. Malvern, Worcestershire.

Allium, poppy and fritillery display

Poppy and allium display

 The early spring flowers colours have disappeared but still many of them are beautiful. I love the fat seed pods and find a real satisfaction in collecting the seeds once the pods brown and split. There is nothing like knowing next year there will be even more beautiful flowers because you collected the seed and prevented it from being wasted on the path or in the lawn. Some flowers though bring even more joy as once the seed is gone and the remains have browned and dried, they are perfect architectural wonders of nature, eco friendly flower displays which don't need to be watered, just put somewhere safe and admired for months to come.

Allium with fat green seed pods

Poppy flowers

Beautiful moth, Malvern, Worcestershire.

My garden is full of fabulous butterflies, peacock, admiral, orange tips, cabbage white and loads I don't know the name of. Unfortunately they flit around from flower to flower or dance in the air spinning around each other like the DNA helix. This constant movement makes them impossible to photograph. I have spent many hours attempting to sneak up on one or patiently sitting next to the flowers which a few moments before I sat down had been covered in butterflies, waiting for them to return. So far all this effort has been with out success. Which is why I love this moth so much. Not only is it rather stunning compared to the common brown moths, and the markings on its wings look so like love hearts, but it spent all day sitting on my honeysuckle having a snooze. Unfortunately I have no idea the name of the variety, but a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. If you know its's name or have any tips on photographing butterflies please I would love to know.

Garden looking gorgeous, Worcestershire.

Purple clematis

Hosta

Poppy and allium

The bright abundant flowers of spring are

 over,replaced by summers flowers, jewel

 bright and deeply fragrant blooms vying

 with one another for attention.

Scabious blue

Deep orange lily

Light blue allium

Yellow honeysuckle

Fragrant pink honeysuckle

Evening recollections

Evening recollections

On a warm summer evening such as this
The years recede and I remember young loves tender kiss
Warm perfumed air enfolds us in its caress
You relaxed and cool, me in my summer dress
Two young people too young to recognise and know
The gentle flutter of first feelings from which love will grow
I still recall the tilt of my head as I gazed
Absorbed in your eyes but feeling quite fazed
By the strength of emotion
Recollected and still felt.

By Izzy Silver

Perfect weather.

Perfect weather

Lazy idyllic precious days

Bees buzzing about in the summer haze.

There is barely enough breeze to stir the grassy threads

Of tall foxgloves amongst the flower beds.

A cloudless sky of such clear blue

Bright butterflies dance their brief rendezvous.

The clarity of bird song on still warm air.

A day so beautiful, a jewel so rare.

An English summer sweet as strawberry

To be savoured in the mind, preserved deliciously.

By Izzy Silver

Summerdays

Summerdays

Its beautiful here

Beneath the rose strewn arbour pink

Sit with me a while

And have an ice cool beer to drink.

We can talk for a time

About life and your dreams and the things you think.

Sky azure blue

Honeysuckle scents the air so heavy as to stink.

Enjoy this day

It will last when memories of cold ordinary ones do shrink.

Ephemeral summer

Retained in the heart as precious because it's over in a blink.

Relax, unwind and breathe.

The view is magical and accompanying glasses clink

Its beautiful here

Beneath the rose strewn arbour pink.

By Izzy Silver

Dad

Dad

We sat together

Me on his knee,

And we talked of fairies and knights

And trips to the moon, 

And I knew

He always would love me.

We sat together

Round the kitchen table,

And we talked about school and exams,

And what to do when being bullied,

And I knew

He always loved me.

We sat together

On the garden bench,

I was now as tall as I ever would be,

In silence and shock,

And I knew

He always loved me.

We sat together,

He in his wheel chair

And we talked about everything

Even his fears,

And I knew

What it was to love.

I sit alone

Memories supporting me,

Of a man, his life and stories,

And his legacy,

And I know,

Inside me is someone worth love.

by Izzy Silver

Waiting.

Waiting

Patience is a virtue

Sadly absent

Waiting for academic scores

On which future studies depend,

Letter to clearing already written, 

Just in case.

Patience is a virtue

Somewhat sullied

Waiting for potential employers calls,

On which financial life depends,

Further applications already written,

Just in case.

Patience is a virtue

Sorely tested

Waiting for medical results

On which life depends,

Letters to loved ones already written,

Just in case.

Running low on patience.

Running low on options.

Running out of time.

Still waiting.

By Izzy Silver

July poetry and pictures, Worcester.

July has been hectic, so it didn't help that the computer was playing up, but it's all systems go again so here is a bit of a catch-up. The next few entries will contain poems and pictures taken or written this month. For the poems I am starting with the blackest and moodiest, progressing to happier brighter stuff. So here goes.

Sometimes optimism isn't an option

The black dog rides again

A monkey on his back.

The demon with the pointy stick

Is going jab, jab, jab.

You smile and try to carry on.

You have to come what may.

Inside your on the floor and being kicked,

It's just another perfect day.

On the face of it the smile remains,

Though it cannot reach your eyes.

Politely you say, "Thank you"

Whilst inside hope dies.

By I. Silver

West Fest, Music Festival 2013, Worcestershire,

Main stage to left of inflatable slide

West Fest is a small music festival held annually in West Malvern, Worcestershire. This year it took place on the 6th July, a fantastically beautiful Saturday, bathed in sunshine and set as always on the village playing fields. This year there were three music stages, as a new stage, The Deakin Diversity stage, made it's first appearance. The main stage, (loud electric) and the second stage, (which is an acoustic stage) played host to 15 different bands, rock and roll/ jazz/ country/ original groups and those playing mostly covers- a very varied mix. The diversity stage had a more "world music" feel, but also saw a silent disco take it's turn. I have been to every West Fest, and the event must have been going now for about ten years. The bands get better and better each year.

View from inside the shade of beer tent

A one day event it's entry is priced so anyone can afford to go, and all it's profits go every year to help various charities. Look out for when it is to be staged next year as it is well worth visiting.

There were also at least twenty art and craft stalls etc