The following are Haiku poems from my recent workshops in Lakeside and Casa de Oro, CA. It’s always so rewarding for me to see how creativity develops with attendees! Sometimes, my nature photography prompts (or attendee’s photos) will encourage and spark writing about the actual photos seen, sometimes, a creative spark ignites and words appear that bring the past to light!
Enjoy these Haiku….
A yellow moonrise
Will it being mischief or peace?
We shall wait and see
-Anonymous attendee at library
RESCUE ME
How miraculous
A sister! A family!
Light in the darkness
-Attendee who discovered she had a half-sister a few years ago….
after losing both of her parents.
~
Thirty-four years gone
It is still hard to believe
I live, love, for you.
-Attendee about the loss of her parent
Incessant drumming
Wet Earth, muddy paws, messy
Where are you sunshine?
Attendee who wrote this reflecting on the noisy (and seemingly endless) rain…
GRATEFUL
Phenomenal me
I have crawled through broken
To a life I love
~
34 years gone
It is still hard to believe
I live, love, for you.
Attendee wrote about resilience and loss…
FLOWERS
Birds of paradise
Colorful, feathery plumes
Gently swaying tall
-Attendee writing about a favorite flower, at library workshop
Once an awesome Miss
Succumbs to the elements
And passes away…
Time’s a miracle
That so loses its intrigue
The longer it goes.
Was it what you thought?
Are the gates really pearly?
Or was it a myth?
Did you get to hear
the celestial choir hymns?
Was it what you dreamed?
Are you joining in?
Do you feel at home there yet?
Do you know you are gone?
Did you meet Danny?
Is he who you thought he’d be?
Was he grown or not?
Was he as happy
To finally meet Mommy?
He waited so long.
Did you see Jesus?
Was he what you thought he’d be?
Did he know your name?
-Attendee writing about recent loss of her Mother
CEDAR WAXWINGS
This fluttering flock
All swooping down together
Perching on branches
Softly twittering
With jaunty crested heads and
Pale yellow bellies
Searching for berries
AS bright as their red-tipped wings
So hungry in Spring.
Their grumpy faces
Wearing black masquerade masks
Always make me smile
Attendee that enjoys birdwatching and is especially is intrigued by Cedar Waxwings!
~
HARPER
An all-breed puppy
Soft white fur, muscle and bone
Perpetual smile
She’s ready to play
Joyful and exuberant
Yet happy to work
Busy all the time
She zooms through the garden to
Hunt, chase, dig and bark
I call her to me
She quivers with excitement
To practice our tricks
Looping around me
Weaving with agility
Through my walking legs
When we are both tired
We will snuggle together
Relaxed on the couch.
Attendee who write about her dog Harper!
CAREGIVING
I care, I love, who?
Never in my wildest dreams
My care for elders!
Truly I did so
Wholeheartedly giving all
Nothing left for myself
Now injured, who cares?
Overwhelming pain, depressed
Love, care for ME first!
Tender loving care
Memories of Mom and Dad
Worthiness of life!
Attendee reflecting on the toll and satisfaction that caregiving had for her…