Alphabet of Abundance

Read, my friend, and you will experience
an incredible vision of tropical trees;
so many huggable opportunities

So much wonderful variety that
one could rewrite this litany entirely
with equally excellent selections.

Let's begin with the 'yellow butterfly',
leaves arching, graceful
Areca palm

On to the ever-expanding branches
of the massively magnificent Banyan.

Cassia is a Golden Shower with
clusters of gorgeous yellow flowers
and cinnamon bark

Always lovely, Date Palm;
topped by a large crown of leaves

Elderberry's juicy, sweet fruit;
for making pies or jelly it's used,
especially enjoyed by songbirds.

Frangipani, the Lei flower;
guava, yellow or rosey pink,
quite delicious, don't you think?

Hurricane palm
looks so regal;
the Inkberry Tree,
island favorite

Now the Jacaranda Tree is a truly fabulous sight to see!
You cannot stand in proximity and not be dazzled
by lavender purple blossoms so lavish.

K is for tall Kapok;
'cotton' from the seed pods'
good stuff for pillows and furniture.

Longleaf pine forms a fine environment
for turkey, nuthatch, quail and tortoise.

Mahogany is "King of the Forest"
providing nesting spots and shelter
for many types of birds and squirrels

The letter N was challenging til
finally I found the Necklace palm;
but the Orchid Tree, outstanding beauty;
such pretty violet pink finery.

Pigeon Plum is a seacoast tree,
white-crowned pigeon, a frequent visitor;
the fruit also eaten by mockingbirds,
catbirds, robins, and woodpeckers.

Queen's Crape Myrtle, Pride of India
stunning intensity of lavender-lilac .

Those Red Mangroves with 'prop roots'
are the "trees that walk on the water"
protecting the sandy shore from erosion.

Sweetbay Magnolia grows by streams and ponds
with creamy white flowers, fragrant, cool;
leaves that add good flavor to cooking.

Torchwood is the primary food supply for
a rare and endangered swallowtail butterfly.

Have you ever seen an Umbrella Tree?
if not, you must
as soon as possibly (lol)

And I'm Very certain you won't want to miss
the shade of Wild Tamarind.

X, Y, and Z?
by this verse, I've gotten
slightly exhausted; geez!

Still, I hope one day you'll walk with me
(on a day with lower humidity)
and we will visit the trees.