https://rayzimmerman.Substack.com
@mockingbird530.bsky.social
I’m a poet, naturalist, and freelance journalist. At 73, I still work a day job 4 days a week, just to survive.
The rest of my time is spent creating art and writing. Follow me here and on Subtack.
The rest of my time is spent creating art and writing. Follow me here and on Subtack.
3
Fish find safety under roots.
Cane grows straight and tall above the waves.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy
where water moves between two banks
Fish find safety under roots.
Cane grows straight and tall above the waves.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy
where water moves between two banks
December 8, 2025 at 12:19 AM
3
Fish find safety under roots.
Cane grows straight and tall above the waves.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy
where water moves between two banks
Fish find safety under roots.
Cane grows straight and tall above the waves.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy
where water moves between two banks
4
Branches join acorns missed by squirrels.
Birds break worms’ bodies in their beaks.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
Before the old oak falls, for years it stands.
Credit
Previously published in the magazine, 2nd and Church, Nashville.
Branches join acorns missed by squirrels.
Birds break worms’ bodies in their beaks.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
Before the old oak falls, for years it stands.
Credit
Previously published in the magazine, 2nd and Church, Nashville.
December 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
4
Branches join acorns missed by squirrels.
Birds break worms’ bodies in their beaks.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
Before the old oak falls, for years it stands.
Credit
Previously published in the magazine, 2nd and Church, Nashville.
Branches join acorns missed by squirrels.
Birds break worms’ bodies in their beaks.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
Before the old oak falls, for years it stands.
Credit
Previously published in the magazine, 2nd and Church, Nashville.
3
Unable to carry the load of ice,
branches join acorns missed by squirrels,
where birds assemble to gather ants.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
Unable to carry the load of ice,
branches join acorns missed by squirrels,
where birds assemble to gather ants.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
December 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
3
Unable to carry the load of ice,
branches join acorns missed by squirrels,
where birds assemble to gather ants.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
Unable to carry the load of ice,
branches join acorns missed by squirrels,
where birds assemble to gather ants.
Before the old oak stands, an acorn falls.
2
In soil born of leaves that worms cast out,
unable to carry the load of ice,
Old branches break and fall to snowy ground
where birds assemble to gather ants.
In soil born of leaves that worms cast out,
unable to carry the load of ice,
Old branches break and fall to snowy ground
where birds assemble to gather ants.
December 8, 2025 at 12:15 AM
2
In soil born of leaves that worms cast out,
unable to carry the load of ice,
Old branches break and fall to snowy ground
where birds assemble to gather ants.
In soil born of leaves that worms cast out,
unable to carry the load of ice,
Old branches break and fall to snowy ground
where birds assemble to gather ants.
The Golden Calf: Exodus 32:1-35
December 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The Golden Calf: Exodus 32:1-35
The Accidental Garden
Untended it grows
Fills the Spaces left behind
I leave it alone
Untended it grows
Fills the Spaces left behind
I leave it alone
December 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The Accidental Garden
Untended it grows
Fills the Spaces left behind
I leave it alone
Untended it grows
Fills the Spaces left behind
I leave it alone
A lovely poem.
December 5, 2025 at 9:24 AM
A lovely poem.
2
Swimming fish feed on smaller fry.
Sunfish find safety under roots.
A tall boy cuts cane to make a pole.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy.
Swimming fish feed on smaller fry.
Sunfish find safety under roots.
A tall boy cuts cane to make a pole.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy.
December 5, 2025 at 9:19 AM
2
Swimming fish feed on smaller fry.
Sunfish find safety under roots.
A tall boy cuts cane to make a pole.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy.
Swimming fish feed on smaller fry.
Sunfish find safety under roots.
A tall boy cuts cane to make a pole.
No longer swimming, the fish feed the boy.