Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation: The Cold Night

Image by aalmeidah from Pixabay

spring snow

purifies earth and heaven

the cold night

spring snow

covering flowers and trees

a threatening frost

covering flowers and trees

a spring freeze will destroy buds

a hard summer comes

the cold night

emerging from the dream world

the people awake

~cie~

notes

We were charged with creating a fusion-ku from the following two Haiku and a Troiku from the fusion-ku.

spring snow

purifies earth and heaven

our enemies perish

© Mizuhara Shûôshi

the cold night

comes out of the stones

all morning

© Jim Kacian

Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation: Troiku Hineri: At Dawn

Image by Johannes Plenio from Pixabay

These round hay bales are a common sight where I live

I

at dawn

I wash my feet with dew

the longest day

at dawn

the sun comes through the window

too bright to look at

I wash my feet with dew

perhaps I am still dreaming

I walk to the yard

the longest day

the too-warm sun of summer

I retreat indoors

II
at dawn
the sun comes through the window
too bright to look at

at dawn
much of the world awakens
though some hide away

the sun comes through the window
too bright to remain asleep
burning fiery orb

too bright to look at
I attempt to ignore it
I begin my day

III
I wash my feet with dew
perhaps I am still dreaming
I walk to the yard

I wash my feet with dew
before the sun burns it off
on grass blades still damp

perhaps I am still dreaming
I would be afraid to walk
unshod on this ground

I walk to the yard
trying to plan the future
what will I grow here?

IV
the longest day
the too-warm sun of summer
I retreat indoors

the longest day
I have many things to do
always stay busy

the too-warm sun of summer
makes me hide inside the house
sun scorching the earth

I retreat indoors
maybe when the evening falls
venture out again

~cie~

Visit the Artist

Visit the Artist

Ghost town Grover and Cactus Clem have a poem they want to share too.

A cactus man like Cactus Clem

Thinks the heat just can't be beat

He don't mind when it gets toasty

He even walks around in bare feet

A ghost like Ghost Town Grover

Tends to prefer the shade

He likes to sit underneath the old tree

Just sippin' lemonade

Visit Good Stuff from Grover for more from Grover, Cactus Clem, and the Ornery Old Lady

Visit the Ornery Poetry Blog

notes

The original Haiku for the Troiku Army was written by © Yozakura (1640-1716).

at dawn

I wash my feet with dew

the longest day

Carpe Diem New Beginnings: Reincarnation Wave

shrouded memories

wash to the shore like a wave

lives unremembered

shrouded memories

creeping up from the dark past

preying on my mind

wash to the shore like a wave

I wish I could float away

forgetting this strife

lives unremembered

hiding in my troubled mind

preparing to spring

~cie~

notes

We were given two Haiku by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016) with which to create a "fusion-ku," and from there, to create a Troiku. Here are Jane's Haiku. My "sleigh" is a Senryu rather than a Haiku, but so it goes.

a huge wave

thundering across the beach

my birthday

sky-clad

the new-born comes wrapped

in previous lives

Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #111 Troiku ... New Beginnings ... Lotus starts to bloom

image source

in deep prayer

eyes closed in devotion -

Lotus starts to bloom

in deep prayer

I can't trust what my mind says

it plays tricks on me

eyes closed in devotion -

trying to change my focus

away from my pain

lotus starts to bloom

is the lotus in my mind

real or illusion?

~truth seeker~

notes

The sleigh of the Troiku was created By Chèvrefeuille. The horses were gingerly handled by someone.

Carpe Diem #1789: Winter Trees

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

axe unfolding wood

the lumberjack's hand brings down

winter trees on snow

axe unfolding wood

scent of oils rising from bark

mighty giants fallen

the lumberjack's hand brings down

sturdy wood to build new homes

and for furniture

winter trees on snow

they can serve the people well

if culled thoughtfully

~Cie~

Sustainable forestry practices allow us to live in harmony with nature.

Notes:

This Troiku was created from a fusion Haiku inspired by a pair of Haiku by Yosa Buson (1716 - 1784).

cutting into with the ax,

I was surprised at the scent.

the winter trees.

unfolding at the

hand of the glass polisher:

a camellia!

© Yosa Buson

Carpe Diem #1784: Rain at the Crossroads

Image Source

soaking wet signpost

I try to read while trudging

through wet pampas grass

soaking wet signpost

water running in my eyes

watercolor rain

I try to read while trudging

always try to do too much

must learn to focus

through wet pampas grass

the signpost just up ahead

slips further away

Santoka Taneda & Cie

Notes:

The assignment today was to take two Haiku by Santoka Taneda (3 December 1882 – 11 October 1940) and turn them into a single Haiku, then turn that Haiku into a Troiku. 

Here are the two original Haiku:

soaking wet

I can’t read the letters

on the signpost

walking through

the bush clover, the pampas grass,

walking on through them

© Santoka Taneda

Carpe Diem #1782: Devouring Haiku

Image Source

(spring)

light carried 

apple blossoms 

in my dreams

(summer)

apricots

fine nectar

fit for angels

(autumn)

broken 

the asters' fragrance rises

beauty in destruction

(winter)

colorless 

the cold

stills life

~Jane & Cie~

Notes:

The instructions were to take the four Haiku written by the late Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016) and simplify them as much as possible. I kind of like the results.

Carpe Diem #1777: A Fusion of Seasons

Image by aalmeidah from Pixabay

cricket silence

between scraping sounds

autumn begins

© Jane Reichhold

it touches the line

of my fishing pole -

this summer moon

© Chiyo-Ni

summer fishing done

as the crickets fall silent

autumn now begins

summer fishing done

we must prepare for winter

weather is too warm

as the crickets fall silent

will they return in the spring

species fall extinct

autumn now begins

the season that I love best

should not be so warm

~Cie~

Notes:

We were asked to create a fusion Haiku from the first two poems and then create a Troiku from the fusion Haiku. The Three Horses of the Apocalypse led my sleigh to weather that is unseasonably hot and dry. It should not be close to 80 degrees in Colorado in November. So I got all environmentally conscious on everyone and turned my Troiku to a Senryu, because that's the kind of thing I do.

OctPoWriMo 2019: Day 29 + Carpe Diem #1771 Lightness of Being the Firefly

Image Source

longing for the grass

at the bottom of the pool

those fireflies.

longing for the grass

with lust almost immoral

they light up the night

at the bottom of the pool

they float free now of burden

solitude sublime

those fireflies

craving no deeper meaning

than being alive

Basho & Cie

Notes:

The "sleigh" of this Troiku was created by Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694). The team of firefly horses was guided by me.

I just noticed this Emoji icon in the bottom right corner of my post. It looks all pissed off and frazzled. I laugh, as this is the first poem in several days that has been at peace with things. It's about fireflies, just doing firefly stuff, longing for grass, and lighting up the night. I didn't notice the Emoji thing yesterday or the day before. Maybe it exploded upon being exposed to the radioactive rage of my post.

Now it's a starched white shirt with a red tie. Apparently, the fireflies have gone into business and are dressing the part.

Carpe Diem Field of Flowers: Peony

Image Source

dainty peony

a garden's painted lady

makes a home for ants

dainty peony

ants climbing in the petals

seeking space to rest

a garden's painted lady

something from another time

and at once timeless

makes a home for ants

petals form a cozy bed

hidden from the sun

~Cie~

Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #97: Depth of a Flower

Wildflower Bouquet

I

windy weather

calling the flowers by name

each nods

windy weather
inspiring too much thinking 
melancholy thoughts

calling the flowers by name
the flowers in a graveyard
have names of the lost

each nods
no fight when the time has come
blowing away home

II

depth of a flower

flying away with the bee

some mystery

depth of a flower
what hides deep inside beauty
mystery within

flying away with the bee
nectar feeds tomorrow's child
hope for the future

some mystery
can spark curiosity
or can drive one mad

Jane & Cie

Notes:

The "sleighs" of these two Troiku were created by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016). The Six Horses of the Apocalypse escaped from my unstable stables.

Carpe Diem Field of Flowers + The Legend of Seacliffe House: Daisies After the Storm

around the mansion

daisies standing strong together

after the storm

around the mansion

dark shapes lurk in the shadows

even in daylight

daisies standing strong together

like my companions and I

these wonderful friends

after the storm

we concentrate on our work

we stand together

Chèvrefeuille & Cie

Notes:

The "sleigh" of this Troiku was created by Chèvrefeuille. The Three Horses of the Apocalypse were wrangled by me.

I always appreciate the inspiration for a poem relating to a Team Netherworld WIP, in this case, The Legend of Seacliffe. After a tumultuous night riding through a terrible storm to take his mother away from the brutal Diamantina Lamb, mistress of Lambswood, Randal Messana finds shelter and kindly assistance from the servants at the mysterious Seacliffe House. As the sun rises and dries the rain, he notices a patch of daisies thriving in a meadow a slight distance behind the house as he is assisting his new companions with their chores.

Carpe Diem Summer Challenge 2019: Flowers and Bees

Summer Flowers

depth of a flower

flying away with the bee

some mystery

depth of a flower

more than human eyes can see

beneath its petals

flying away with the bee

nectar gathered for the hive

pollen on their legs

some mystery

why foolish humans can't see

how necessary

~Jane & Cie~

Notes:

The "sleigh" of this Troiku was created by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016). The trio of bees pulling the sleigh was wrangled by me.

Learn about ways to help pollinators through the Butterfly Pavilion's PACE Program.

Carpe Diem Summer Challenge 2019: Outdoor Shower

Image by Ambady Sasi from Pixabay

I
outdoor shower
bathed in sun colors
of hot water

outdoor shower
a little bird looks out from
the branches of home

bathed in sun colors
its black and yellow feathers
so like clouds and light

of hot water
heat of summer relentless
even for a bird

II
slipping into the pool
naked divides the night
sun-warmed waters
.
slipping into the pool
comes a nighttime visitor
a stealthy raccoon

naked divides the night
those that hide in the daytime
appear bold at dusk

sun-warmed waters
a pleasure as it paddles
silent in shadow

Jane & Cie

Notes:

I was honestly stuck with this one. Then it came to me, like flash--like a vision! I just wrote it down.

The "sleighs" of these two Troiku were written by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016). The unruly "horses" were led to water by me.

D'Verse Poets Open Link Night #246 + Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #91 Renga With (hineri) Sonora Desert

Beach Mouse

1. 

among dune grass

silver bleached logs

and a perfect day

among dune grass

if you blink, you will miss it

mouse peers from its home

silver bleached logs

blasted by sand, wind, and rain

beauty in harshness

and a perfect day

if perfection does exist

found in solitude

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

2. 

overcoming rocks

a stream of cacti

slowly spreading

overcoming rocks
taking root in barren soil
resilient plants

a stream of cacti

clandestine water vessels

ride the desert wave

slowly spreading
seeds take root across the dunes
carried on the wind

Teddy Bear Cholla

3. 

desert ways

branching all over

cholla cactus

desert ways
arid, harsh, unforgiving
to some, blessed home

branching up to the sky
reaching up to greet the sun
rooted deep in earth

cholla cactus
spines sparkling like gems in sun
don't try to pick me

Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

4. 
alone and asking
to be touched
teddy bear cholla

alone and asking
thirsty for the rain to fall
the sun still beats down

to be touched
is a desire that ceases
when touch is cruel

teddy bear cholla
with spines that appear silky
not truly cuddly

Image by katja from Pixabay

5. 
writing
desert poems
pencil cholla

writing
salvation or damnation
release, obsession

desert poems
love the look of the desert
but can't stand the heat

pencil cholla
plucking a spine for a nib
words scrawled with my blood

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

6. 
desert sunset
cholla cactus sticks
to the light

desert sunset
with night comes blessed coolness
nighttime desert song

cholla cactus sticks
daring passerby to touch
its tempting needles

to the light
shining from the moon above
nighttime creatures sing

~Jane & Cie~

Notes:

The "sleighs" of the Troiku in this Troiku Hineri were written by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016). The spiky Horses of the Apocalypse were wrangled by me.
I've been doing Troiku all month. These were supposed to be Renga. Yes, I know, I am bad at following instructions and I suck at my job. In other news, water is wet.

Troiku Challenge 2019: Day 19: Disappearing Pollinators

Copyright Charlie Neibergall

our world is poison

butterflies and bees vanish

a catastrophe

our world is poison

toxins in the air and soil

leech into water

butterflies and bees vanish

without our pollinators

we are truly lost

a catastrophe

the plants that we rely on

need pollinators

~Cie~

Note:

I am fully responsible for the Sleigh of Destruction and any Horses of the Apocalypse that may be pulling it.

Disclosure:

I earn a small commission from any products purchased from this grid. Proceeds go towards the renovation of the Grover Hotel. To find out more, please visit the Good Stuff From Grover blog.

Troiku Challenge 2019: Day 18: Ancient Cypress

Image Source

ancient cypress

leaning over the light

at sunrise

ancient cypress

tell me how the world once was

when you were just small

leaning over the light

I think of the great legends

of gods and heroes

at sunrise

standing so strong and so tall

living monument

Jane & Cie

Notes:

The "sleigh" of this Troiku was created by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016). The three heroic horses of legend were wrangled by me.

Troiku Challenge 2019: Day 17: Breathing Silence

Image by Radoan Tanvir from Pixabay

alone on the beach

only the cries of seagulls -

breathing silence

alone on the beach

wondering what lies ahead

another sunrise

only the cries of seagulls

if I could understand them

what would they tell me?

breathing silence

trying to calm this feeling

that all is not well

~Chèvrefeuille & Cie~

Notes:

The "sleigh" of this Troiku was created by Chèvrefeuille. The Three Horses of the Apocalypse are my responsibility.

This poem is part of my Seacliffe Series, in reference to my WIP, The Legend of Seacliffe House. These poems focus on the thoughts of my protagonist, Randal Messana, as he finds himself in a strange new situation after rescuing his mother from the brutal Diamantina Lamb and fleeing the cursed Lambswood Manor. The story is primarily a homage to Edgar Allan Poe and it may or may not ever be published. Either way, I hope some of you enjoy the poetry inspired by the tale!

Troiku Challenge 2019: Day 16: Heat Waves

Heat Waves

heat waves

bringing to the desert

an ocean view

heat waves

like the sun fell down to earth

scorching the dry soil

bringing to the desert

heat too difficult to bear

if caught unaware

an ocean view

is very far from this place

with the burning ground

~Jane & Cie~

Notes:

The "sleigh" of this Troiku was created by Jane Reichhold (1937 - 2016). The Three Horses of Hell were summoned by me.