"California Spring" by Bierstadt‘Some Can’t See the Beauty’: A Springtime Poem by Roy E. Peterson The Society April 30, 2024 Beauty, Poetry 20 Comments . Some Can’t See the Beauty Some can’t see the beauty in __A flower or a tree. I call them nature blind because __Their minds won’t let them see. Perhaps it’s biophobia— __A general fear of nature— Or hylophobia—a fear __Of forest nomenclature. Some fear the sand on beaches, __Or ammophobia. Some fear the height of mountains, which __Is altophobia. These poor souls have aversions to __The world’s environment. They’d rather stay in cities living __In a tenement. Then there are those allergic to __The pollen in the air. In Springtime they can’t see the beauty __Past the window’s glare. I have to pity all such folks __Who have to stay away; Oh sure there’s ticks and poison ivy __Sunburn, hounds astray, But I know out there are the wonders— __God is on display. . . LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 5,000 poems in 78 of his 101 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 20 Responses Julian D. Woodruff April 30, 2024 A nice verbal kick in the rear for this couch potato, Roy. Great image choice from Evan, too. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 I particularly remembered ammophobia, since it seems to me it should be a fear of bullets. Evan, indeed, chose a wonderful picture for this poem. Thank you for your comments. Reply Russel Winick April 30, 2024 You nailed it Roy, even if I’ve never heard of and couldn’t spell a bunch of those words! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 Thank for sharing your special comments, Russel! Reply Phil S. Rogers April 30, 2024 Educational, as there are phobias I admit I never heard of, but a poem I can personally relate to, having been an outdoor person all my life. Many city people have no clue, do not want the experience, and believe their lifestyle is far superior. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 Thank you, Phil. I looked up a lot of the phobias while the tv series, “Monk,” was running on the tube. You are right about many city people. Reply Brian A. Yapko April 30, 2024 When “God is on display” who has time for distracting phobias? This is a wonderful poem, Roy, full of fun wordplay and an introduction to some arcane terminology. Thank you for the smile! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 Thank you for the special comments and mentioning the ending. It was worth the effort to make someone like yourself smile. Reply Margaret Coats April 30, 2024 I see it in your poem, Roy, and in your pity moving toward sympathy for those who can’t see wonders of God on display. You’re touching on the spirit associated with the ability and willingness to see. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 You always find the intrinsic threads and motivations that come from a perceptive mind. In this case, you found something I had not planned, but rather wrote, as you said, with the spirit moving me. Moving from pity to sympathy just seemed to come naturally and I did feel both emotions. Reply jd April 30, 2024 I love Spring and the poems it generates. Thank you, Roy. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 I appreciate your comment, jd. Reply Warren Bonham April 30, 2024 I’m sitting here sniffling as a result of some unseen allergen unleashed by the trees and flowers in the neighborhood. Despite the health implications, I’d rather be outside enjoying their beauty rather than sitting inside at my desk. Thanks for the impactful nudge! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 1, 2024 I empathize with your predicament. Thank goodness you can write wonderful poetry! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant April 30, 2024 Roy, how utterly beautiful. I don’t know what I would do without my daily stroll in the company of Mother Nature basking in the glory of our Creator’s many gifts. I also like the educational aspect of the poem… all those phobias out there. I suffer with one phobia… in the grand scheme of things it’s trivial and embarrassing to even mention what it is. It has caused me much angst, and I am eager to see it gone. Roy, after reading your poem, I may try to tackle my problem once again. Thank you! Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 1, 2024 Bless you, Susan. No phobia is too trivial. They can impact our daily lives and are a drain on our psyche. I wish you well in your effort to overcome yours. Your wonderful comments continue to encourage me. Reply James Sale May 1, 2024 Very lovely Roy, and you are increasing my vocabulary too!! Thanks. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 1, 2024 Thank you, James, for your kind comments. I appreciate them. Reply Cheryl Corey May 1, 2024 Roy, your poem is a nice reminder that now more than ever, we need to take time to notice the beauty of spring – from the flowering magnolia and weeping cherry trees to the forsythia – even greening blades of new grass. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson May 2, 2024 Precious comment, Cheryl. Thank you! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Julian D. Woodruff April 30, 2024 A nice verbal kick in the rear for this couch potato, Roy. Great image choice from Evan, too. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 I particularly remembered ammophobia, since it seems to me it should be a fear of bullets. Evan, indeed, chose a wonderful picture for this poem. Thank you for your comments. Reply
Russel Winick April 30, 2024 You nailed it Roy, even if I’ve never heard of and couldn’t spell a bunch of those words! Reply
Phil S. Rogers April 30, 2024 Educational, as there are phobias I admit I never heard of, but a poem I can personally relate to, having been an outdoor person all my life. Many city people have no clue, do not want the experience, and believe their lifestyle is far superior. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 Thank you, Phil. I looked up a lot of the phobias while the tv series, “Monk,” was running on the tube. You are right about many city people. Reply
Brian A. Yapko April 30, 2024 When “God is on display” who has time for distracting phobias? This is a wonderful poem, Roy, full of fun wordplay and an introduction to some arcane terminology. Thank you for the smile! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 Thank you for the special comments and mentioning the ending. It was worth the effort to make someone like yourself smile. Reply
Margaret Coats April 30, 2024 I see it in your poem, Roy, and in your pity moving toward sympathy for those who can’t see wonders of God on display. You’re touching on the spirit associated with the ability and willingness to see. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson April 30, 2024 You always find the intrinsic threads and motivations that come from a perceptive mind. In this case, you found something I had not planned, but rather wrote, as you said, with the spirit moving me. Moving from pity to sympathy just seemed to come naturally and I did feel both emotions. Reply
Warren Bonham April 30, 2024 I’m sitting here sniffling as a result of some unseen allergen unleashed by the trees and flowers in the neighborhood. Despite the health implications, I’d rather be outside enjoying their beauty rather than sitting inside at my desk. Thanks for the impactful nudge! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 1, 2024 I empathize with your predicament. Thank goodness you can write wonderful poetry! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant April 30, 2024 Roy, how utterly beautiful. I don’t know what I would do without my daily stroll in the company of Mother Nature basking in the glory of our Creator’s many gifts. I also like the educational aspect of the poem… all those phobias out there. I suffer with one phobia… in the grand scheme of things it’s trivial and embarrassing to even mention what it is. It has caused me much angst, and I am eager to see it gone. Roy, after reading your poem, I may try to tackle my problem once again. Thank you! Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson May 1, 2024 Bless you, Susan. No phobia is too trivial. They can impact our daily lives and are a drain on our psyche. I wish you well in your effort to overcome yours. Your wonderful comments continue to encourage me. Reply
Cheryl Corey May 1, 2024 Roy, your poem is a nice reminder that now more than ever, we need to take time to notice the beauty of spring – from the flowering magnolia and weeping cherry trees to the forsythia – even greening blades of new grass. Reply