I am fortunate to be driving across Texas just as the bluebonnets are blooming. Here’s where they took me.
among the wildflowers
the old pickup rolled to a stop
on the shoulder of the two-lane roadthe gravel spoke underneath
the worn boots of the workmenwho walked to the front of the truck
that was sending sighs of steaminto the early spring morning
of a not very good daytwo of them stood and stared at
the smoking engine as thoughthey could change something
the other walked to the edgeof the field of wildflowers
“Jesús, what are you doing?”“look at the bluebonnets,” he said,
“they only last a couple of weeksbut they do more than just survive
they spend their little lives for beauty.”one of the others was on the phone
the other was digging for toolsthey weren’t listening to the man
as he stepped across the ditchand laid down among the blooms
“gracias,” he said, “gracias.”
Peace,
Milton
PS—How could I not include this song? The Wailin’ Jennys do a wonderful cover of Tom Petty’s classic.
It is indeed an awesome time to be in Texas among all the wildflowers.
Gracias and gracias for that wonderful image of the man lying in the bluebonnets. They are a sight to lift us to heaven!
This made my morning. As I watch another blanket of snow falling, it makes me long to be lying in the bluebonnets. There is always something for which we can utter “gracias.” Thank you, Milton.
I’ve been driving through the hill country and enjoying their brilliant beauty. Beautiful poem, Milton!