<html aria-label="message body"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">My Fragrant, Verdant Presence</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">I give you gifts of crimson bloom</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">of Queen Anne’s lace, morning glory on the trail,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">reddish dock seed in a ditch,</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">a robin bouncing on berry branches,</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">whistles and songs of red-winged blackbirds,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">sparrows, finches, and a mockingbird.</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">A yellow swallowtail darts like a hummingbird<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">into each blue blossom of the Lilies of the Nile.</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">Once in a blue moon, the sight of a bald eagle</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">chasing an osprey for that fish in its mouth,</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">while being harried by the osprey’s mate.</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;"> </p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">Your self-distractions mean you miss half<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">of these offerings.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">Such is the work of forgetfulness,</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;">until I nudge you.</div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 22px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Raphael Block</div></div></body></html>