Category Archives: Nature

Haleakala #Haibun #Poem

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Before the rain they went outside–not to a mountain peak or to watch the tumbleweed blow, but to the fish ‘n chips shop on the tropical islands overseas. They didn’t see a supernova, but he says he saw mermaids. Oh, I wasn’t supposed to say that! ❤

Life on the ship was always moving, especially with a broom or brush in their hands, scraping all the grime and dust bunnies from a ship that, to the seamen on board, continued in service long after its time had passed.

Haleakala
Great volcano in the dark
Talking to the sky

—
A Haibun about my husband, Frederick Douglass Grimes, III, who served on the USS Haleakala (AE-25), a U.S. Naval amunission ship in service from 1959-1993.

Written for Linda Kruschke's
Haibun Paint Chip Poetry Prompt.

The Shepherd’s Walk Home #Poem

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My goats search for a sprig of mint
to calm their bellies before sleep.

The moon walks softly up the horizon,
as the sun sinks below…

On our way down the mountain,
we pass our favorite waterfall.

Forget-me-nots line the path,
reminding us of the goodness of day and the restfulness of night.

The crows have carried the sun away
by the time we reach my garden scarecrow.

Today was like any other herding day,
uneventful, peaceful…..

The same,
yet different.

Tomorrow will be similar,
but different just the same!

—
Written for Linda Kruschke’s
Idyll Paint Chip Poetry Prompt.

“The Sheep under the Snow” #Music

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Download “The Sheep under the Snow” Mp3

“The Sheep under the Snow” is a Manx folk song called “Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey.” Please don’t ask me how to pronounce that! It’s a haunting melody I heard for the first time a few days ago. Do yourself a favor and avoid the lyrics, because they are so sad… Needless to say, I’m not posting them here.

I hope you enjoy this folk song on zither!

Teddy Bears’ Picnic #Poem

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If you go down in the woods today,
Beware of the drifting snow!
You’re going down in the woods today?
Remember your trusty phone!
Beneath the trees where nobody sees,
The covered ice anticipates feet…
Today’s the day the teddy bears have no picnic!

—
Surely you’ve heard “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” the song on which I based this no-picnic Quadrille… Apologies to all my teddy bear friends–I have 3, plus a unicorn, a sheep, and a pumpkin!

Written for
dVerse Quadrille #122: Go.

Fire of Life

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I went out to the hazel wood, because a Fire was in my head.* What to do… What to do…

It was the Fire of Life, of Light, of Love. I had internalized the Fire, because it was as yet unshared. How could I use it to warm others? I must have something needed, even if I’m not conscious of its Presence.

I took a walk in nature to open my mind, expand my heart, and refresh my soul. I know the answer resides deep within me. That Something I have, needed by others, becomes clear.

I returned from the hazel wood, because a Fire was in my Heart! And I went on with my life, changed and aware, to spread the warmth of the Fire within!

—
127 words for
dVerse Prosery,
using the starred line by William Butler Yeats.