Five Spring Haiku
Patches of green appear
soon the brown will be no more
wary bunnies munch.
Wary bunnies munch,
on new tender nascent growth.
A surprise snow squall.
A surprise snow squall,
new growth of green shoots poke through,
spring rain starts to fall.
Spring rain starts to fall,
the world outside truly glistens.
Squirrels find acorns.
Squirrels find acorns,
soft roots and fresh flora growth.
Patches of green appear.
Fifteen Minutes on a February Morning
Sip hot chocolate,
munch saltines and orange marmalade,
read haiku of Dag Hammarskjold
and enjoy the warmth of the house.
Eight inches of wood, air and plaster,
separate me from the cold. Cold has
frozen the puddles at the verge of the road,
has made the rhododendron close its leaves,
and has a squirrel hunting for its cache of acorns.
Eight inches of wood, air and plaster,
keeps in the warmth. Warmth that gives
comfort and well being. Walls trap
and magnify house noises and odors.
The quiet rumble of the furnace and
the aroma of simmering savory chowder,
permeate the house.
The lush tropical house plants thrive .
Delight in the warmth
without a thought about it,
sip hot chocolate.
"tropical house plants thrive"
History of You
I want to write a history of you,
but there's information I must have.
Did you blow the silky white dandelion seeds
during early summer and make a wish?
Did you find, when walking in the woods,
a special pebble which you've kept all these years?
Did you stand on a cliff at the water's edge,
and stare intensely to see infinity?
Did you at the wayside pick blackberries
and savor their scrumptious sweet flavor?
Did you snuggle in your arms a puppy
who looked up at you with trusting and quizzical eyes?
Did a cat fall asleep on you,
and you remained still so as not to disturb him?
Did you eat straight from the tree a peach,
and let the luscious juice dribble down your chin.
Did you gasp and cry when
Tosca jumped from the parapet?
I don't need to know your skills and achievements,
I need my questions of your life answered.
Day Dream
I gaze at the white and shades of gray,
it snowed last night so in I'll stay.
I dream of a tropical beach far away,
where I spent happily many a day.
Warm ocean water, crystal clear,
quiet laps on the beach I hear.
Hibiscus flowers grow to the rear,
they perfume here and places near.
Young folk play at the volleyball net
at this place they may have met
an ideal beach for the game to be set.
They'll have long friendships, I'll bet.
Here I see people clearing snow,
my mind sees the tropics, I did know.
Okinawa was for me a paradise, so,
to there I'd be delighted to go.
Celebration
The poem describes a Buddhist Temple. The top photo is a Shinto Shrine and the second picture is a Christian celebration.
A Winter Day
The cold stings the cheeks
like slapping birch twigs.
A light, north breeze
makes quiet sporadic hums.
The wool watch-cap
chafes and itches
like bothersome bugs.
The leaden sky
portents snow.
Fumble for the door key,
turn the cold knob,
step inside, and peel off the coat.
Adjust to the soothing warmth.
Quick, make a cup of hot cocoa,
smell the homey aroma,
savor the thick sweet liquid.
How fascinating the world.
"The ;leaden sky portents snow"
Five Winter Haiku
Tea with jam and toast
while watching a Christie's story,
listen, snow pelts the pane.
Listen, snow pelts the pane,
a white coat blankets the world,
soup scents from the stove.
Soup scents from the stove
soon, the filling savory taste.
squirrels uncover acorns.
Squirrels uncover acorns
through snow, cold, wind, and blizzards
oaks hold tight the leaves.
Oaks hold tight the leaves
inside cozily noshing
tea with jam and toast.
Old Mac Donald
Good Old Mac Donald has a farm,
where animals mostly avoid harm.
Chickens all day sound a happy cluck,
finding plenty of feed isn't just luck.
Ducks always are free to swim and roam,
this paradise is their blissful home.
Pigs oink, cheerfully take in corn,
this they've done since they were born.
The animals during their life, I'd say,
have just one bad day.
free-range ducks at Coonamessett farm in Falmouth.
Halloween
This is the night when strange creatures abound,
pirates, princesses and odd beings are all around.
Each wants candies, cakes or some other treat,
they take it all, but who knows how much they eat.
Kids gather at churches, schools or someone's home,
festive parties are held so there's no need to roam.
Snacks, games and songs make for a time of fun,
tired children go home when the evening's done.
In olden days they thought spirits ruled this night.
On this eve children imitated many such a sight.
The fiends and demons, those folks greatly feared,
tonight's pretend creatures are now endeared.
Pumpkins ready to be made into jack-o-lanterns at Coonamessett farm, Falmouth
Rabbits, Squirrels and Raptors
Here, at my little patch,
we have rabbits and squirrels,
lots of them. They're not as big
as those in other locales.
In some places a rabbit or squirrel
might make a meal, not so here.
But they are a decent meal for
a hawk or eagle, so are wary
of all birds.
Our rabbits are brown, ground dwellers,
and eat grass. Several generations
have made a home under my shed.
Our squirrels are gray, live in trees,
and eat the acorns. When the leaves fall,
their nests are easily seen
in high branches of the oaks.
Seeing the risk of a suspicious bird,
rabbits freeze, blending into the background.
Sensing the same danger squirrels run
quickly to a tree putting it between them
and the peril.
Actions of rabbits, squirrels and raptors,
eons of evolution has taught.
The balance is kept.
