Laid to Rest

Leaves are laid to rest;

Blanketing the ground around the stones

of those already laid to rest.

Golden brown they fall

scattering in the wind // drifting gently;

A covering for those who have already

passed the winter of their life…

and those who left much too soon.

Soon the oak will be bare of leaves

its branches reaching up toward the blue sky.

Standing tall and stately over the cemetery

it knows when Spring comes

new life

will be drawn from its roots.

And, when this winter is past

it will put out new leaves

that will, once again, shade those

 who have already been laid to rest.

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

I am also posting this for d’Verse Poets Pub open link night.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Fragrant Breeze

Lilacs bloom fragrant
Perfume carried on the breeze
Summer’s almost here

Poppies sway // ripples flowing
Gently across Flander’s Field

Reminder to us
That war is filled with blood-shed
Poppies bleed blood red

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Written for Frank Tassone’s Haikai challenge Fragrant Breeze. He also reminds us of the anniversary of D-day and suggested we incorporate that as well.

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/06/08/haikai-challenge-6-8-19-fragrant-breeze-kunpuu-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

Blushing Dogwoods

We spent some time this week in Virginia with my son and family. Driving up through the mountains to the Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful ride. Their season is about three weeks behind North Carolina. The red bud trees and the pink and white dogwoods were all in bloom.  This one was across the street from my son’s house.

Pink dogwoods blushing

Spring sunshine in every bud

Spectacular show

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Rise

Red Maple seed floats merrily on wings;
hoping to find a place from which to rise.
Landing between the crack of a rock;
with little soil, and almost no chance of survival;
it puts down a root;
forever changing the future of that rock!

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Quadrille Monday, and Merril, at d’Verse, asked us to use some form of the word rise. I decided to put a little different Spring twist to it and came up with this Quadrille of exactly 44 words.

Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

April Moon

This beautiful moon was captured by my sister-in-law in Southern British Columbia. Frank Tassone, shared with us today that early native Americans set time by the lunar cycle. They gave names to each one. The April full moon is called the Pink Moon! Seems to fit in very well with the falling of pink cherry blossoms. He asked us to write a Haikai poem that in some way included the pink April Moon.

 April Full Moon shines

Light rubbing off on the trees

Spring lights up the world

Shades of pink cherry blossoms fall

Soft petals become Spring snow

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        Moon Photo: Miriam Keyes

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/04/13/haikai-challenge-81-4-13-19-pink-moon-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

 

 

Snowing Cherry Blossoms

Surprise Spring snowfall

Snowflakes melt in warm sunshine

Cherry Blossoms fall

Photos: Dwight L. Roth

Today Frank Tassone asked us to write a Haikai poem that alluded to cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms welcome spring in the United States and in Japan, where festivals are held to celebrate them.  Last week it snowed one day and was in the sixties F. the next day!

Join us at: https://frankjtassone.com/2019/04/06/haikai-challenge-80-4-6-19-cherry-blossoms-sakura-haiku-senryu-haibun-tanka-haiga-renga/

Cold Bunny!

Yesterday we had a surprise snowfall. It was very unusual to get snow here in North Carolina on April 2nd. It was beautiful with large wet flakes falling all around. I have already mowed my lawn twice this spring. The little bunny hopped around through the snow seeming a bit confused. Fortunately his cold chill did not last long. It was melted by evening and warmed to a comfortable 70 F today!

 

Snowflakes fall softly

Little bunny has cold seat

What happened to spring?

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Remembering a Life

Today we planted a flowering pear tree in the back yard to remember Ruth’s father. Some dear friends gave us money awhile ago to make the purchase. With spring in the air and temps in the high sixties, it seemed like a good day for this project. We are looking forward to seeing it bloom each spring and thinking of Dad.  It will be a great addition to our yard.

A day to reflect

Memories of dad will blossom

With the warmth of Spring

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Photo: Dwight L. Roth

March Madness

Creeping in with the beauty of March is that madness that comes with the opening of tree buds and flowers. Pear trees bloom and maples push buds, making all those little helicopters that twirl their way down to the yard. The madness of it all comes not in the beauty, but rather in the pollen that floats through the air and coats my car windows with yellow dust. People with allergies go mad!
Every year it seems March madness takes over my head, fills my sinuses and makes me ache all over. I am recovering as I write from a week of misery that wants to stay with me. Even all the excess rain has not dampened “March Madness”.

Bees still in hiding
Tree pollen floats in spring air
Short circuits senses

Merril at d’Verse asked us to write a Haibun about March Maddness. This is not the basketball madness that we experience in the Carolinas, but rather other aspects of March that may drive us crazy. I chose the allergy season that comes every year.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

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/