loving embrace (haibun)

Sitting on the shore, she ponders on life. Flashes of her youth, her marriage and promises kept as long as she could, for the sake of the children. Guilt weighed her for years wishing she could have controlled happiness for those she loves until she finally learned. Happiness is an attitude. One can get caught up in the happiness trap, hanging on to misery, self-effacing tapes repeated in our minds or letting go and letting be. Hanging on to “feel good” thoughts and images, mirroring the goodness within is her guide now for the rest of her journey.

© Karuna's sunset in India , LivingLearningandLettingGo

Mother Nature soothes
cradling her stellar babe
tranquil surrender
compassion embraced
warmth slipping into deep sleep

When I saw these breathtaking photos at LivingLearningandLettingGo, I could not help but see a mother cradling her infant, the way the sun seems lulled on the horizon. Karuna was generous enough to allow me to post her photos for my reflections here.

right to choose (tanka)

rolling the dice
little or no control
death and dying
once felt luck of the draw
right to die changes the stakes

cherry blossoms – troiku

A lovely prompt to write a haiku about cherry blossoms in our mother tongue with the English translation. English is my mother tongue, so I have translated in French which is my second language and “the” language of my province. Here is my troiku about cherry blossoms.

cherry blossoms
majestic and generous
shade lovers kissing

cherry blossoms
budding promise
love is in the air

majestic and generous
pink showers
silken petals fall

shade lovers kissing
a love story
in spring

fleurs de cerisier
des amants s’embrassent sous l’arbre
imposantes et généreux

fleurs de cerisier
promesse bourgeonne
un aire d’amour

des amants s’embrassent sous l’arbre
une histoire d’amour
au printemps

imposantes et généreuses
corolles soyeuses déversent
une cascade rosée

©Tournesol’16/01/17

Season’s treats (haiku)

garbage day
four season’s buffet
city rats’ treats

©Tournesol’16/01/14

Carpe Diem Tokubetsudesu “combining animals and seasons”

January 13 Daily Moments – Shadow Play (troiku)

dragons prowl
shadows in the night
snow puffs soothe

dragons prowl
always one snowflake behind
can’t catch me

shadows in the night
tall and short circling me
my companion

snow puffs soothe
shimmering softly
winter’s gems

lovers’ serenade (Soliloquy no Renga)

(Hokku)

at the seashore
wind of summer through my hair
the shortest night
© Chèvrefeuille

whistling love’s refrain
lovers by the sea

barefoot interlude
under strawberry moon
wanting lips

rhythm of rolling waves
lovers’ serenade

promising
undying love
whispered all night long

gulls rudely interrupt
mock untried liaisons

eyes look down,
tender – your lips
upon blushed cheeks

(Ageku)

moonbeams on golden locks
shine midsummer’s dream

Daily Moments – Jan. 8/2016 Hasty Dawn (Haibun)

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

Daily Moments

flawless (haibun)

Looking out the window, she takes note at this part of winter she enjoys so much. Sitting comfortably in the warmth of her home, her furry friend sits by her side, content her mistress is home today.

She sees a car drive by covered in snow and only a small circle in the windshield brushed off to see. She sighs. She had strict rules about driving in winter and always took extra time to scrap the snow off all the windows of her car. “One less thing to worry about, now” she thought to herself, since she no longer had a car. No more stressing to get anywhere that public transit or a taxi couldn`t do just as well and safely.

white downy snow
flawless –
adorns the land