Poetry ~ Waka
It rained all day and night last weekend. She thought it might just be a brief break in the season. The following day temperatures dropped so much the shiny streets turn white with frost. Whatever reason Mother Nature may give for these changes in the weather, winter is still here to stay…for a while, that is.
forgiving nature
winter repents
graced with beauty
© Tournesol’16/01/14
The wind had died down yet the temperatures had dropped. Wrapped in her down-filled coat, fleece cagoule and studs clipped on her wool lined boots, she took her time walking from the Métro. Walking through the fresh fallen snow, felt like trudging through bushels of icing sugar…fluffy and white. She felt like a child again, kicking that fluff up and watching the weightless fluff spill over her boots.
Soft patches of ice hidden beneath the snow caught a few night walkers by surprise as they slipped; their bodies wobbling like circus clowns, yet refused to give in to gravity. “Ah, they were so young and agile”, she thought. She was quite pleased she had extra insurance to stay grounded on her walk home.
winter kimono
baby powder soft
pine’s Sunday’s best
© Tournesol ’16/01/14
Walking across the mall’s parking lot she looked up at the glorious blue sky. The sun was hiding behind a tiny grey cloud, probably snow in that one. And then she saw a huge grey mass. It was where the snowploughs push the snow. In the past ten days, the lovely air we breathe in this city added its global charm.
sun plays peak- a- boo
grey puffs drifting
frowning at our air
unforgiving images
masking the universe
Viewing her photos the dreary mountain disgusts her. The wonderful thing about art and photography is that one can alter eyesores to more delightful landscapes.
brush dipped in pale hues
shading hills innocent and pure
O winters of yore!
– or –
pleasing to the eyes
softening harsh realities
soothing to the soul
© Tournesol ’16/01/12
It felt like spring last night with the plus 6 Celsius and rain. The wind reminded her of March winds pushing even her tall frame on the dark, shiny streets walking home.
This morning was a surprise, no more grey skies but azure blue with splashes of white here and there. The winds blowing in the distance looks like the tree across the street was waving at her, probably warning her of the 20 degree drop in temperature.
first light of day
white frost seizes
shivering limbs
© Tournesol’16/01/11
Daily Moments
Her mother was due but in spring and yet, here she was feeling her child pushing and shoving, making her way to thy kingdom come…Arriving at her mother’s home, a midwife by chance, she settled in the family bed letting nature take its course…un enfant d’amour.
a birth in haste
tumbling in the family berth
their winter rose
© Tournesol’16/01/08
To scratch an itch is certainly a need although one may feel wanting, filled with the urge to scratch. If you’ve ever had chicken pox, measles or hives, you will get my drift here (smiles) But what changes a want to a need? I am sure the answer is quite subjective as I think of my past desire to meet the famous hugging saint, Amma, (Mata Amritanandamayi) but once I did experience her warm embrace at a retreat, it did change me more than I had ever imagined.
wanting heart,
a saint’s embrace kissed my soul
my needs fulfilled
As I ponder on this “needs/wants” discussion, I can’t help but contemplate on Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. Love being the basic need to survive and thrive.
We also hear that there is no greater love than love for self. I find I love myself more and more when I love others, when I can help others. There must be some meaning in this for look at anyone in the world who lives a life of serving. I am far from such a person, being still selfish in many ways and content with my North American comforts. But look around at anyone who you’ve seen helping others. The smile of compassion and satisfaction is ever present on their faces. The image of Amma comes to mind again when I see her smiling at her devotees, even after sixteen hours in a crowded room.
compassion’s longings
serving yields such precious gems
intrinsic needs met
© Tournesol ’16/01/08
Written for Challenge for growth prompts: Needs vs wants at LivingLearningandLettingGo
Once winter’s solstice has passed, life seems more promising. In spite of the short days, dark mornings and early dusk, we know that each day there will be a slight change…baby steps but still, It is encouraging. This morning, she notices dawn was five minutes earlier than a few days ago. Sunset is fifteen minutes earlier than Christmas day. Each extra moment of daylight counts as one looks forward to spring.
despite sub-zeros
luminosity hastens
dawn stirs hope
© Tournesol ’16/01/08
Daily Moments
She sits draped in fleece admiring a nature’s morning splendour. The eye could capture only hundreds of shades and nuances…a human lens shooting in slow motion. She smiles with pride. One must witness the slightest changes to appreciate the glory of it all; she felt lured, this frigid morning, by an omnipresence. In reverent silence, she recites her mantra before this sacred panorama.
O mystical one
rise above the horizon
shine on me
© Tournesol’16/01/06
Daily Moments
Watching the sun rise at 7:30 she notices a seamless grey surround the sun. She sighs at this beauty despite the grey backdrop only accentuates the splendour of that golden sphere. After settling at her desk with a fresh cup of java, she notices the heavy grey is lifting and white patches of curvy billows and large splashes of blue appear in the sky. She marvels as the The artist paints a series of images on heavenly canvas.
morning glory
transformations of beauty
I bow my head
© Tournesol’16/01/05
They skied all day on Mont Tremblant. The slopes had crusty patches from the thaw and freeze during les fêtes, and they laughed together as they tumbled more than once. Later that evening, in their chalet, they clink their glasses of warm sweet wine.
on bearskin rug
less cold, sipping caribou
après ski
© Tournesol ’16/01/04
Tournesol dans un Jardin 