Pine Patterns, Missoula, Montana

Spring pine cones aren't mentioned much, despite their glorious lines and shapes and contrasts of colour. But here's a lovely and thoughtful poem about family patterns and pine cones by Australian author Jennifer Strauss, “Pine Cones and My Grandmother”.
"My sharp-tongued grandmother -
Delicate-skinned, fine-boned -
Taught to a timid child
Something of fortitude,
Not to flinch
At barbs on the wire fence.
'If the head gets through,
The rest,' she said
'Will follow.'..... (Click here to read it all - it's worth the extra click.)