mourning ash (haibun)

(c)Clr'16 Rougemont, Qc. — (c)Clr’14 Rougemont, Qc.

In spring I was delighted to see so many lilac trees lined along the streets in front of commercial areas. I wonder if that is an arrangement with businesses. Whatever the deal, it is simply breathtaking when they are blossoming at the same time.

Our city has ash trees lined on the side of streets and all along the boulevard in front of my home. These are the trees that shade the backyard of my son’s home as well, and I, along with his German Shepherd and Golden, like to cool off in their shade.

This year will not be one of those times, however. The ash trees in southern parts of Québec, Montreal and Ottawa are being attacked by Emerald Ash Borers from Asia. They were first spotted in Detroit in 2002 and quickly crossed the border to Windsor, Ontario. Scientists say they have been around probably since 1990.

What is unfortunate about this situation is the fact that too many cities plant the same type of tree …rows and rows rather than interspersing among a variety. Now with these trees all dying, we will be left with emptiness.

My son and I walked in a nearby park last Sunday and he showed me the holes in the bark of one ash tree. That`s where the larvae breed under the bark and suck all the life out of these beautiful ash trees.

rows of ash trees
leaves spreading sparingly
one last summer

one last summer
cycle ends before its time
mournng ash

Daily Moments July 9 2016 mourning ash Haibun

moonlight serenade (tan renga)

snow melting–
where ducks are nesting
soft moonlight © Issa
last romantic rendezvous
lovers skate on frozen pond

©Tournesol’16-07-08

Daily Moments July 8 2016 maritime dance (haibun)

Inspired by a video of rolling waves on a deserted beach, her muse wanders to lands of frivolous fancy.

rolling waves moan
ruffled crinolines reel
cancan of the sea

©Tournesol’16

daily moments July 8 2016 maritime dance

Daily Moments July 7 2017 Heatwave (Troibun)

Her head is a bit foggy theses days with the heatwave this week. No matter how many hours of sleep, it still never seems to be enough. She thinks about her neighbours upstairs and wonders if they are finally resting after a month of fasting…Ramada is over, they too need to catch up on sleep.

(troiku)

heatwave
humid dense air
heavy breathing

heatwave
children squealing
splashing water

humid heavy air
piercing through
cicadas songs

heavy breathing
coolness of the night breeze
lovers play

Daily Moments July 7 216 Heatwave Troibun

If you are interested in learning more on how to write a “troiku” check out Chèvrefeuille’s blog at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai, who created this new form of haiku.

Casse-Noisette (haibun)

Every Christmas Place des Arts is filled with parents and children, especially little girls sitting and watching with awe.

small feet dance
each move is part of a love story
filled with wonder

©Tournesol’16/07/05

Daily Moments July 4/16 Watch the day float by (Troibun)

Tossing and turning she rises despite a few hours of sleep. The quietness of the morning is a stranger to her wakefulness. Every moment is in slow motion. Suddenly the words pour on her screen. Now she understands why sleep could not return.

(troiku)

perfect day
sunshine and butterflies
tranquil ease

perfect day
mind filled with verse
writing pleasure

sunshine and butterflies
another day of rest
sits and watches

tranquil ease
untangles cobwebs
words released

©Tournesol’16/07/04

Daily Moments July 4 2016 watch the day float by Troibun

silken soft (tan renga)

coming to sea clifs
the off-shore breeze raises
a flower fragrance © Jane Reichhold

shoulders wrapped in Fabergé
softer than cashmere

©Tournesol’16/07/04

friendly visits (haibun)

We are asked to choose a favourite haiku, explain why we chose it and rewrite another haiku inspired from our choice. I chose one from a chapter on Karma from David G. Lanoue’s book Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa)

“Shortly before he died, Shinran wrote the following note to a friend: “Even when my life comes to an end and I am reborn into the Pure Land, I will come back again and again, like the waves dashing on the beach of Waka-no-ura”(Tran. Kurata247) Reincarnation, especially in relation to the bodhisattva myth of enlightened being returning to the world of suffering to enlighten others, was a favourite theme for the founder of Jôdoshinshû and, consequently, for his followers. Issa writes, then rewrites, a haiku about himself and a butterfly under a shady tree.

in tree shade
relaxing with a butterfly…
friends in a previous life
© Issa Kobayashi”
(Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa by David G. Lanoue)

I chose this haiku because, since the death of my mother December 2014, I have been visited so many times from spring to fall by a particular butterfly. At first, I saw one in Montreal in a thicket behind my workplace on my way to my afternoon shift. I would stop and take photos and we would visit, silently conversing. This spring I am revisited again on a busy street by the same type of butterfly.

spring through fall
divine interventions
butterfly visits