River of Heaven

Frank Tassone’s prompt for today’s Haikai poem is the Milky Way. In Japanese culture the Milky Way is called amanogawa.  So this week, we turn our attention to the traditional, early autumn kigo of the Milky Way (amanogawa). The literal translation of amanogawa is “river of heaven.”

A milky circle
galaxías kýklos spins
Tiny specks go ‘round
Homogenized stardust shines
As light cream blends // bends our minds

Milky Way Photo: from Bing – wallpaper.in

For more information or to join with the prompt: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/08/17/haikai-challenge-100-8-17-19-milky-way-amanogawa-lit-river-of-heaven-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

 

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Sturgeon Moon

The Full Moon in August is referred to by the Native Americans as the Sturgeon Moon. It is thought that it was due to the large numbers of sturgeon that were available in the northern lakes and rivers at this time of year. Sturgeon are thought to be prehistoric remnants of the ice age. They are bottom feeders that live much longer than most fish. Their boney scale-less bodies and long pointy noses make them look quite different from most fish. Today, Frank Tassone asked us to write a Haikai poem that refers to the Sturgeon Moon. The painting above, of the moon over the mountains and the flowing river, is one I did a few months back. Yesterday, I went back and added more details and color to the original. It is a recycled painting from the Habitat Restore.

Sturgeon Moon rises

Like a boney reflection

Ancient survivor

This is my little corner of the garage where I do my painting!

Join us at:   https://frankjtassone.com/2019/08/10/haikai-challenge-99-8-10-19-sturgeon-moon-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

 

Peace of Mind

“What brings you peace of mind and cleanses your spirit?” This was our question for the d’Verse Poets Pub poetics this evening. For me it is not just one particular thing. I love sitting under the trees and watching nature hum all around me. Music soothes my soul, both listening and playing music on my guitar with others. I love going to the Nursing Home each week where I read stories and play music and sing with them. I always come away renewed! But, I have found that posting on my blog each day brings me the most peace of mind. If I have been busy all day, all that mind clutter goes away when I sit in my chair and begin writing a poem and finding a photo or two that I can add to it. Sometimes it is the other way around. If I have no particular inspiration, I look through my photo files and am always able to find inspiration. Connecting with all of you is most rewarding. It is not so much the likes on my posts, but the comments and personal interactions that make what I do here worthwhile. So, for that I say thank you for your support and encouragement.

Sharing thoughts with you
Connecting with such great friends
Brings joy to my soul

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Join us at:  https://dversepoets.com

 

 

Katydid Still Sings

Once again we hear of senseless shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. In a world filled with stress and divisiveness this has sadly become something to be expected.  Without addressing the root problem of mental illness it will continue on into the future. The song of the Katydid reminds us that life will go on in spite of us.

Sounds of shots echo

Evil rears its ugly head

Katydid still sings

*

Photo: Public Domain

Frank Tassone asks us to write a Haikai poem that includes the Katydid.

Join us at:  https://frankjtassone.com/2019/08/04/haikai-challenge-98-8-4-19-katydid-kirigirisu-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

 

 

The Spider’s Lair

Spider’s handiwork

“Hotel California”

Strands glisten in light

He who dares to enter there

Is trapped in her tangled lair

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Thanks to the Eagles for the reference to their song Hotel California

Heat Wave

Temperatures rising

Europe is having a heat wave

Looking for relief

Cows and people love water

Cooling off under shade trees

Swim as ships pass by

Skinny-dipping man chillin’

Right next to our ship!

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Our prompt from Lillian today at d’Verse was temperature! It is getting hot, hot, hot, this summer! When we were on our trip up the Rhine, temperatures were in the mid 90s F. It was still a very enjoyable trip. We stayed in the shade as much as possible. All along the river people were camping and swimming finding relief from the heat.

Join us at: https://deversepoets.com

Cicada’s Last Song

I found this cicada on the driveway yesterday! He was dead as a doornail. After being in the ground for seventeen years, all the work of singing to find a mate must have been too much for him. He died in the prime of his life! Must have been a wild night!
Bursting into light
Everyone heard him singing
She loved his sweet song
The honeymoon didn’t last
Found him feet up on the drive
_
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Frank Tassone asked us to write a Haikai poem about the cicada. I decided to write a ranga, which usually has a tongue in cheek sense of humor.
Join us at: https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/117675961/posts/16154

 

Locks

Traveling up the Rhine River, we passed through several locks, where the ship enters and is raised to a higher level. We went through most of them at night, but on this evening we came to a lock just before sunset. It was an interesting experience to see the water filling the lock and watch us rise. The opposite doors slowly opened and we moved on up the river just as the sun was setting.  It reminded me of life.

Rocks in our life stream…

Pause // close the door behind you

Let good friends lift you;

Move to a higher level

Let negative pain behind.

Summer sun drops low…

Enjoy the evening orange hues

Tomorrow // new day

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Posted on https://dversepoets.com open link night!

Living Gold

Gold finches return

Gold come in different forms

Sunshine in feathers

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

 

Dutch Ingenuity

We were told trees are not planted on the dikes at Kinderjik. The reason is because if storms come through and blows them over it would tear up the dikes. There are a few willow trees that grow close to the windmills. They are used to grow saplings year after year for the Miller to use in various situations. The fence you see above is made of woven willow saplings. Reeds grow all along the dikes and are also harvested and dried. They are use for weaving baskets. Reed roots also help stabilize the dikes. They are places for ducks and birds to live and nest.

Reeds and willow sticks

Harvested every summer

Stacked and dried in sun

Builds fences, gates, and baskets

Dutch ingenuity shows

Reeds grow all along the dikes at Kinderjik and are dried for use

Willow sticks and reeds are stacked to dry for future use

Goat pen gate and feeding trough made from willow saplings

You can see how the saplings are trimmed off this willow stump

One of very few trees seen on the dikes of Kinderjik.

Photos from Kinderjik, Netherlands: Dwight L. Roth