Category: poetry

dancing with daisies

there are meadows

in the forests

ever shrouded

by the trees,

where fairies

dance with daisies

when there’s magic

in the breeze;

they gather

there in secret

with their wings

and auburn hair

to dance

among the daisies

when there’s magic

in the air

–AI Image

Shot of the Day 5/7/24

Finally, I got a shot of a Great Grey–the tallest owl in the world! I’ve been trying to capture one since I moved up here, almost 3 years ago. Oh, I’ve caught glimpses of him from time to time, but he blends into the grey of the trees so well, he’s practically invisible. Isn’t he a beauty!

with his fancy grey coat and bow tie,

you’d think he’s a good-natured guy;

but look at those cold eyes of gold

and the way he looks into your soul

–Photo by me (finally!)

Old Photos (tanka)

Humble Beginnings (1955)

That’s me in my mother’s soon-to-be-overwhelmed arms. She had five more after this photo, and had to wash out each and every diaper. I was ten pounds, ten ounces at birth. Poor woman.

My handsome father got a job in the mines, so we lived in what was called a mining location. It was a rough place; I remember rats in the basement, getting worms, and a ride to the hospital with a tourniquet on my four year old arm.

if you want to know

your place in the universe,

look at old photos

the answer that you’re seeking

is right there in black and white

–Photo not by me, that’s for sure

Smiling Bear

I went for a walk, and what did I see

But the friendliest bear sitting up in a tree,

And I called out to him, “Hey, Mister Bear,

I was just wonderin’ what you’re doin’ up there.”

He smiled at me as he came climbing down–

But I was long gone ere he got to the ground.

–Photo by me

The Flow

This is where Rapid River flows into Rainy. Beyond that is Canada. Not only is it one of the best fishing spots around (for birds as well as fishermen), there’s a lightness in the air here and a sense of flow permeates everything. It’s a very special place to me, as it makes me feel connected to that flow.

whenever i’m here,

where the two rivers meet,

i stand on the bank

and feel the flow;

i feel the waters flowing

like the blood in my veins,

i feel the air flow around me

like the air in my lungs,

and i feel the life force itself

flowing in me and thru me–

and yet, amid all that,

whenever i’m here,

time seems to stand still.

–photo by me

peliconga

i came upon some pelicans

all dancing on an isle,

and as i watched them thru the trees,

i couldn’t help but smile;

i thought it was the strangest thing

that i would ever see–

until they formed a conga line

and danced into the sea!

–photo by me