Benjamin Wissler

Man of prominence
Heartbroken when Anna died
Granite Marker stands

A carved stone tribute
Nothing too good for Anna
Granite marker stands

Benjamin now rests
Next to his dear sweet Anna
Twin stone markers stand

Lasting legacy
Not to be forgotten
Granite marker stands

Remembered by some
Who now have joined him at rest
Granite Marker Stands

Photos from the Hammer Creek Cemetery: Dwight L. Roth
Benjamin died two years before the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.

Laura at d’Verse asked us to choose a name on a tombstone that we did not know and write a poem about this person. I decided to write a series of senyru poems. I took this photos a few years ago when we were in Pennsylvania.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

 

Frozen Memories

Snow covers the swing

Sweet memories of summer

left frozen in time

Cold December Moon shines full

Moonbeams dance on snow

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Frank Tassone reminded us that the Cold December Moon will shine full this coming week, on the twelfth. He asked us to write a Haikai poem that included the Cold December Moon.

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/12/07/haikai-challenge-116-12-7-19-cold-moon-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

Droplets on the Web

Finally, we have some relief from the heat! A cold front pushed through bringing heavy rains overnight. Our resident spider had a gorgeous web spun in my holly bush. In spite of the heavy rain it was strong enough to hold up, undamaged by the storm. The water droplets remained on the beautiful web all day today. No lunch for the spider today!

Spider’s web remains

Basket of diamonds glisten

Autumn rain welcomed

iPhone photos: Dwight L. Roth

Frank Tassone’s Haikai prompt for today is Autumn Rain! Just in time for the photos and poem above!

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/08/24/haikai-challenge-101-8-24-19-autumn-rain-aki-no-ame-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

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/

 

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/

 

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

 

Cliff Swallows

Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, there is a walking bridge across the James River. The cliff swallows have taken residence in the tall concrete columns. Attaching their mud nests to the ceiling, they lay their eggs and hatch out their young as people come and go below.

Red mud nests hold young

Voracious appetites keep

Cliff Swallows feeding

 

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Frank Tassone’s Haikai challenge for today is to include the Swallow. We saw these amazing birds feeding as we walked across the James River one Mother’s Day. Somehow it seemed appropriate to be watching mother feeding their babies high overhead.

Come join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/03/23/haikai-challenge-78-3-23-19-swallow-tsubame-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

If you are over sixty, you might remember Pat Boone’s song: “When the swallows come back to Capistrano…” !

New Self-Published Poetry Book

I have been self-publishing my own books for about four years. It started with memoirs of my childhood years which I published on Amazon Kindle. In addition I published hard copies at Office Max. I write for myself and for my friends who care to read my work. This book of Haikai poems developed as a result of my connection with the Word Press blog, d”Verse Poets Pub. They post prompts three days a week along with detailed explanations of how to write different forms of poetry.

This book has sixty pages of poems and photos that I took. Since I published it in all black and white it kept the cost down. Using a discount coupon, and publishing thirty-five booklets I was able to do them for two dollars each! For books with more pages you can get plastic covers with a spiral binding. This raised the cost of the book by about four dollars each.

Give self-publishing a try. It is not that difficult. Type your poems or chapters on Word in sequence on one file. Edit and make corrections. Save the finished product in pdf form. This way it will not change when you take it to be printed. Make a separate file with your cover.  Load the file with your book on a flash stick or sd card and take it to your local Office Max or Office Depot. Print at least twenty copies or more to get the best pricing. They will fold and staple them for you. You will love the results.

https://www.amazon.com/Dwight-Roth/e/B017HW5AHG/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Lion of Winter

While we are enjoying the first signs of spring in North Carolina, the Northeast is hit with another four to six inches of light snowfall. Fortunately March Lion Snows soon disappear as the sun moves further north.

March // roar all you want

Light snow doesn’t deter spring

Mourning doves shiver

 

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

More snow is forecast for this weekend. Frank Tassone asked us to address winter going out like a lion. Our Haikai poem is supposed to allude to light snow. You can join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/03/02/haikai-challenge-75-3-2-19-light-snow-awayuki-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/