Moon Beams (haibun) CP #517 Shiki(3) “reeds tremble”

July 11^th midnight we left Montreal via bus towards Toronto. This would be a 6 hour trip or shorter depending on traffic and mostly summer construction on Highway 401, the most boring highway that I know. That is why I take a bus or train when travelling alone, for by car, the risk of falling asleep at the wheel hypnotized by the same white line on black asphalt is too dangerous.

I felt like I was chasing the moon tonight, walking towards the bus terminal. I tried to take a few pictures but my camera could not do it justice. It shone so bright and it looked like a tiny spec on my camera.

On the bus I would see glimpses of the moon on the right and when I aimed my camera, the bus turned slightly and it was not to the left. I was sitting on the right side way in the front on the top deck of this double-decker Megabus. Fortunately I had two seats, so I could stretch my long legs. My tablet was on most of the ride to occupy my busy mind. I was lucky if I slept an hour and now I know that it may have been due to the “almost” full moon.

For hours the white glow teased me going from the right of my window and then to the left where I could l could not see as well, then whoosh, it would disappear. The more we approached mid morning around 3 a.m.

Moon, I saw you,

swell in size

inflamed and boisterous

daring and glorious

you shine like a star

you acquiesce afar

finally with unrest

you shine ahead

towards the West

the lower you get

the larger you’ve set

into a golden lantern

it’s 3am, cannot sleep

your energy fills me

that beaming glow

as travellers follow

all through the night

you’re glowing light

keeps us alert, safe

you’ll not abandon

us until early dawn

that golden star

we’ll not see yet

as we head West

just feel the glow

from the East

as you, moon,

shall seek rest.

This was Thursday morning that I saw this “almost full moon” on my bus ride; and on Saturday the moon was at its fullest and there was a great celebration at the retreat where I was, called The Guru Purnima. We waited with anticipation for the celebration until the wee hours of the night (5am. more precisely) In the meantime, I went out for a walk and took a few photos of the full moon and my mind wandered…

(haiku)

hot summer night

waves crash on the beach

guided by moon beams

lovers embrace

hide behind bushes

bright moon glow

Although this prompt is to write about the full moon in the Fall or Winter, I had these notes from my trip I felt fit so well with the mood of the full moon. You can see more explanations, Chèvrefeuille so graciously and eloquently gives at Carpe Diem #517 Shiki (3), “reeds tremble”

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge #43, Basho’s “The Old lady cherry”

Photo credits: Sara Desjardins Photography – Toronto

At Carpe Diem Haiku Kai, our task was to take Basho’s “The Old-Lady Cherry” and add two lines in approximately 7-7 for tan renga. Here is the original poem and chèvrefeuille’s example:

the old-lady cherry

in bloom: a remembrance

of her old age

a day to celebrate

the first cherry blossoms

revel in ornate hues

time enhances your splendour.

Submitted for: Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge #43, Basho’s “The old lady cherry”

Delight (haiku)

Clipart – Caterpillar

Little boy entranced

stares in his sandbox

eager ants

tickled, he giggles

reaching up to scratch his face

caterpillar smiles.

Carpe Diem 516,(Issa) Skylight

Unknown sky (haiga)

Carpe Diem #509 Chiyo-Ni (2) ”in an unknown sky”

meigetsu ya ittemo ittemo yoso no sora

autumn’s bright moon,
however far I walked, still afar off
in an unknown sky

© Chiyo-Ni a well known haiku poetess from the 18th century.

clouds horde June sky
walk on darkened path
my dog howls ahead.

Missing them already (haibun)

I love traveling by rail and do as often as I can. The trek Montreal to Toronto by car can take about 5 to 6 hours and by train if I am lucky and get the express which only stops at 3 places, it takes 4 and a half hours. Some other trains can take up to 7 hours and the bus takes 6 hours and costs anywhere from $18 to $50. Just fuel to get there one way costs me $70. Now if I am really lucky, I try to book a few days before departing and can get on business class for one-third of the price. That means, I get longer leg room, can get a seat alone by the window and am paying the economy class price.

At business class, we get a 3-course meal with all the before dinner drinks, wine, and after dinner drinks you want. Well, I stick to a glass or two of wine but there are some who can sure pack it in. I would be crawling off the train if I tried to keep up. Last winter we were stalled for an extra two hours due to the cold weather, the tracks were iced and they could not switch tracks. So we waited for all the trains to pass on one particular track as a safety measure. I sure was glad I was in the business class…nice and roomy, blogging away on my laptop.

I visit once or twice a year to see my family now. I rarely go see my friends as there is not enough time but to catch a lot of my friends and colleagues, I pick up a shift in Toronto since it’s the national office of where I work. Every time I leave, I feel homesick barely a few miles out of the city. I have two places I call home since 1997 and it is with mixed feelings I leave each time.

train slows down
nearing a crossing by the lake
echoes on the beach

picking up speed
whizzing by lakes and farmland
my heart aches

Submitted for: Carpe Diem Haiku Kai #507, Shiki, Smoke Whirls

A fallen flower (CP Tan Renga Challenge #41)

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge #41, ”a fallen flower” by Moritake

This week’s Tan Renga Challenge is a beautiful haiku written by Arakida Moritake (1473-1549), a Japanese poet who also wrote haiku (in his time it was called haikai or hokku). This is a Dutch translation of a wonderful haiku written by Moritake.

a fallen flower

flew back to its perch

a butterfly

a fallen flower

flew back to its perch

a butterfly © Moritake

wings shining with dew’s presence

trying out its new freedom.

© Cheryl-Lynn

Submitted for: Carpe Diem tan renga Challenge /41

Buttercups by the river (haibun) CP#499

Last Saturday I went to visit my mother in my hometown. I was pleased to be with her and it was also on the longest day of the year, summer solstice. So on my way home, I decided to drive by the church where I was baptized and received most of my sacraments including matrimony. What is lovely about sitting across the street from this huge cathedral styled church is the river. There are benches where you can look down and see and hear the water flow over the dam.

I like hearing the water rushing downstream like that. I could feel some of sombre thoughts float along with the current. The river has always listened to me, somewhat like my private journal, only I don’t have to speak and I don’t have to write. As I followed the flow of the water, I could see the sun setting in the east…so beautiful even this late!

I noticed that the town has also added park benches and planted some flowers. My eyes turned towards the humble garden.

sitting solemnly

deep in thought, until

I saw buttercups

I was quite surprised to see only two buttercups blossomed in that huge mass of green leaves. As I got closer, you could see the buds of future blossoms. {I must drive down next week}. It was still a beautiful sight and I was so pleased to be able to still capture some nice shots at such a late hour. It was 9;30 P.M.! But hey, guess that’s why they say it is the longest day of the year. Seeing the flowers changed my mood. Walking towards another bunch of bushes, I saw more buttercups. I’m not sure if they will withstand the wind by the river but that bright yellow sure looked nice.

By the river

swaying in the wind

buttercups.

Written for: Carpe Diem Haiku Kai #499 Buttercups

Butterflies in the garden (haiga) CP #498

Toronto Photographer: Sara Desjardins

whispered, “good night”

caterpillars, I woke up

to butterflies.

gently land

on soft petals,

flitting joy.

joined together

in the garden, they play house

a brief time.

Do you want to get involved in saving the Monarch Butterfly? Get milkweed! Click this link and here

Check out Sara Desjardins’ (photographer) Facebook Page as well.

Written for: Carpe Diem Haiku Kai #498 Butterfly

Shawbridge Creek (haibun)

I spent many summers when I was a young child at Kilarney Cottage in Shawbridge (Prevost) Quebec in the Laurentians. My great grand-father O’Donnell immigrated to Montreal from Ballybunion, Ireland before the Irish famine; he built this cottage for his family of seven children.

My great-aunt took over hosting when her father passed. There was a creek where we spent hours hopping from rock to rock until we reached a pool of water and where I first learned how to swim. There was always something to explore in that creek. The cottage had 15 rooms and my great-aunt always hosted many friends and family that came from Montreal. Thank goodness the sound of the creek at night buffered the loud sounds of adults partying until the wee hours.

My aunt (father’s sister) did this painting of the creek years ago and I am so happy I still have this as the photos never gave it justice. This painting is only a glimpse of this long creek that led to mini cascades of water falls and one huge pool of still water. I still hear the sounds of that creek and the ice-cold water, brrrr.

hear the rapids
foaming swirls
creek

jumping rocks,
dodging frigid water
splash

lazy days
lying on our big rock
fingers paddling

fall asleep,
water flowing
white noise.

Submitted for Carpe Diem Haiku Kai #494 Creek

Canyon (haiga)

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon

panoramic view

breathtaking.

mystic breeze

whistles in the shade

telling tales

sun shines

canyon awaits

twilight

spirits roam

whispering legends

coyote howls.

Submitted for Carpe Diem Haiku Kai #492 Canyon

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Do you want to get involved in saving the Monarch Butterfly? Get milkweed! Click this link and here

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: