Ordinary Miracles

By Judith Prest

Queen Anne’s Lace, for instance.
Fields and roadsides snowy 
with her white, multi-floret blooms,
flattish on top, supported by green ribs
like an upside-down umbrella
face up to the sky.  

The green hollow of the bloom
before it opens.
The way the spaces full up
between lacy segments
as the flower unfold,
velvety purple cross
at the center.

Jewelweed.
Tender green leaves
turn silver underwater,
orange blooms delicate
as orchids.  In autumn,
Seed pods that explode
when touched.

Chicory. Blue mandalas
at the edge of the asphalt,
nodding in the breeze.
Blooming into October.

Ordinary miracles,
hidden in plain sight
along the roadside,
light up every step.

Judith Prest is a published poet, creativity coach, photographer, workshop leader/teacher and mixed media artist. Judith has been leading workshops and retreats for over 20 years and is the owner of Spirit Wind Studio, LLC. She trained as a clinical social worker many years ago (MSW, SUNY Albany, 1983). More recently, Judith studied Expressive Arts and holds certificates in Creativity Coaching and Expressive Art Therapy and is a trained SoulCollage® facilitator. Her creativity coaching practice and her workshops reflect her belief that creativity is our birthright as humans, our stories matter, and we must find ways to tell them.