winter breeze
whispering solitude
chills the soul
winter breeze
depths of emptiness
echoes
whispering solitude
moonbeams catching
muted cries
chills the soul
without shame
bitter cold snaps
© Tournesol’15/12/28
solitude (troiku)
Category: Troiku
shy beginnings (haibun – troiku)
Sometimes, life doesn’t seem fair when one looks solely as one struggles through the muck of life, taking longer to reach any light of day. And yet, those who struggle most, seem to have been offered multiple opportunities, various paths to take, to finally reach the summit…light in all its essence.
shy beginnings
lateral search in quagmire
seeking light
shy beginnings
forsakes opportunities
silent promises
lateral search in quagmire
darkness impedes the search
until one looks up
seeking light
springing from the darkest roots
a lotus blossoms
© Tournesol’15/12/24
Daily Moments December 24 2015
Seven days before Christmas
Seven days before Christmas #1 “fresh snow”
downy coverlet
swaddling nature’s crib
glistens in the night
Seven days before Christmas #2 “silent Night
eyelids quiver
toss and turn ’til morning
dreaming of reindeer
~
singing in the night
herald the newborn King
Silent Night
Seven days before Christmas #3 “decorations”
popcorn garlands
cinnamon and eggnog
Christmas long ago
~
scent of pine cones
tinsel and candy canes
holiday’s hope chest
Seven Days Before Christmas 2015 #4 presents
As young children, they started their list after Halloween. Mother would eavesdrop on their conversations of hopes and wishes. Watching her children stare at toy commercials, she’d revise the list over and over. Finally they posted each their list on the fridge door, checking it every day trying not to pout and do everything right.
On Christmas Eve, they set a plate of carrots and lettuce for Santa’s reindeer by the patio door and cookies for Santa with a glass a milk. The night before Christmas, they were tucked in early, promising to not get up even if they heard bells jingle, thumping in the living room or any long baritone mirth. The rule was to wait after the sun was up and tip toe carefully in the living room, if there was a late delivery. If they even saw a shadow of a burly man in a red suit, they were to dash back into their beds under the covers.
Since excitement made them rise early, the children were given permission to look at their Christmas stockings but wait for Mommy and Daddy before opening any other presents Santa left under the tree.
candy canes and mints
children’s Christmas kisses
sweetest treats
Mother would wake up, lying in bed and smile, listening to the children whispering exclamations on their new finds; then they’d tiptoe in the bedroom wishing their parents a Merry Christmas and pleading to get up so they could open their presents.
gift of love
open hearts, compassion reigns
the newborn King
Seven days before Christmas #5 Peace
(Troiku)
heavenly feast
at the altar
midnight mass
heavenly feast
fills each soul with grace
fit for a King
at the altar
nativity scene glows
babe in a manger
midnight mass
children’s choir sing with joy
divine child is born
© Tournesol ’15-12-23
Il est né le divin enfant (heavenly child is born)
Chorus: Il est ne, le divin Enfant, Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes; Il est ne, le divin Enfant; Chantons tous son avenement!
1. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus
2. Ah! qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant,
Que ses graces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant,
Qu’il est doux le divin Enfant! Chorus
3. Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement! Chorus
4. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous etes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement! Chorus
Translation:
Refrain He is born, the Heav’nly Child, Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding He is born, the Heav’nly Child. Let all sing his nativity.
1. ‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Prophets have foretold His coming,
‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Have we waited this happy hour. Refrain
2. Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
What perfection is his graces,
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair.
Child divine, so gentle there. Refrain
3. In a stable lodged is he,
Straw is all he has for cradle.
In a stable lodged is he,
Oh how great humility! Refrain
4. Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Though a little babe you come here,
Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Rule o’er us from this glad hour. Refrain
(source : http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas….)
More haiku on Peace
peace of mind
snow covered highways
last guests – home safe
last guest – home safe
bearing gift of mirth
contented souls
~
rain slick highways
cloud mists from the sky
showering peace
Seven days before Christmas #6 Mistletoe
Her parents had given her that first record player. It looked like an old portable typewriter case. How she loved it, carrying it over to her friends for sleepovers. She remembers her godmother giving her the single record, by Teresa Brewer. She played it so often, it skipped.
under the mistletoe
a smile is planted on her lips,
dreams of her first kiss
© Tournesol ‘15/12/23
TERESA BREWER – I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS
Seven days before Christmas #7 “Meditation”
Christmas Eve (haibun)
Something nudged me so early in the morning. It was pitch black outside and my mind was in a fog. I looked at the time and wondered why I was so wide awake at 5:45 am, since I’d been sleeping barely three hours. Well now, I thought, lying in bed trying to get back to my dream that was a bit of a mystery. Lots of running around like cat and mouse. Must be the detective flics I had been watching on Law & Order again. But sleep would not greet me and I realized then, it must be the spirit that was excited like a child. Things to do still on this Christmas Eve morning.
A bit of shopping and cooking today and Christmas dinner tomorrow with the most important people in my life, my children and grandchildren. Then I will be working a night shift at midnight; our manager invited us all to come in to work in our PJ’s…yes, that is another item I need to pick up…something funny and outrageous!
When I think about it, a whole 24 hours will be spent in love and compassion…the first half with my children and the second half,at our youth line with amazing caring colleagues.
It’s a privilege for me to take those calls…a window opens on holidays like this where I get to enter the world of other families who, for some, may be struggling this holiday season. Many youths wishing the two weeks off were over already so they can get some sense of normalcy in school with their friends. Time off can be entering a festive time, family and friends celebrating, holiday cheer; it can also be walking on a mine field trying to avoid explosions and turmoil. So yes, I feel privileged to be there.
The grey skies are an exception this time of year and I noticed at the Métro, these past few days there are less homeless people seeking warmth in the subways. The warmer weather is certainly a blessing to many who normally are out in the cold as we sit in the comfort of our homes with family and friends.
shimmering light
spirit of compassion glows,
hearts blossom
© Tournesol ’15/12/24
still raining (troiku – daily moments)
Troiku is a new haiku form created by Chèvrefeuille, my haiku mentor at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai
Troiku
let down by the rain
four days `til Christmas
still hoping for snow
let down by the rain
grey clouds of dismay
shadow blue Monday
four days `til Christmas
four more chocolate delights
kids’ advent calendar
still hoping for snow
downy white coverlet
covers Mother Earth
©Tournesol’15-12-21
Mountain peak (troiku)
cherry blossoms
tender petals weep
like snowflakes
cheery blossoms reel
sighs of a woman
peaked
tender petals weep
whisper with the wind,
teardrops on ivory
like snowflakes
on tender cheeks
blush
© Tournesol ’15
preys of deception (troiku)
that innocent look,
puppy dog eyes luring
victims of his charm
that innocent look
they fall prey
his deceptive charm
puppy dog eyes wait
charm them in parks and beaches
false look of kindness
victims of his charm
sobbing victims betrayed,
look of pretense
© Tournesol ’15
This week, we are to do opposite meanings in our two formed sentences. RonavanWrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge “Charm & Look”
traces (troiku)
taoraruru hito ni kaoru ya ume no hana
the flowering branch of the plum
gives its scent
to him who broke it off
© Chiyo-Ni
************
frail and broken
trace of plum blossoms linger
on his fingers
frail and broken
during winter’s slumber
waiting to heal
trace of plum blossoms linger
now and forever
their first love
on his fingers
only an illusion
scent of her shampoo
© Tournesol’15
Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille at MindLoveMiserysMenagerie
bridging seasons (haibun – troiku)
Last week she went on a journey, visiting special people who touched her soul with lasting imprints on her heart…now and forever.
last days of autumn
taking in final colours
imitating life
last days of autumn
crossing to the other side
between seasons
taking in final colours
hanging on to lifeless limbs,
Ah! those tawny leaves
imitating life
poinsettia on a gravesite
honouring the dead
©Tournesol ’15
******************
Inspired by Georgia’s breathtaking troiku
Carpe Diem Special #185 Georgia’s first “Autumn Reflections”
autumn reflections
as I cross the sun warmed bridge
geese fly south
autumn reflections
old man contemplates winter
under the hot sun
as I cross the sun warmed bridge
ducks laugh downstream
– diving for trout
geese fly south
the noisy swallows have gone
but the blackbird sings
beginnings (troiku)
Birth and death, to me, are more similar than different. That first moment you learn you are going to have a child, you go through many emotions. You are shocked or surprised; you are in denial until you accept the fact you are, if you are someone who had not planned this and perhaps inadequately prepared at this time in your life, be it at 12, 16 or 20 years old, for example. You may be bargaining with your higher power or yourself that it could be a miscalculation or you may be a woman who has been trying to have a child for years. Maybe you do not want to believe it in case there is an error and you will be grieving a loss of that hope once again. You may even feel anger or guilt or both if it is consequences of a rape, a party gone bad, a foolish mistake…take your pick. Even if the pregnancy is planned, there are moments of sadness, of saying goodbye to the life as you knew it, the freedom and the fear of having an innocent being dependent on you for the next two decades or more. Every life transformation starts with saying goodbye to your past before hello to that new beginning.
Acceptance can be anytime throughout the gestation period or once that baby is born. And that very day you know that you are treading on unknown territory even if you are happy. That first child, the awkwardness and fear of not getting it right is ever-present. The apprehension mixed with the acceptance of this reality come together ….your new beginning.
I cannot help thinking as I am grieving my mother today, hours before that time she passed, relating death to birth or a new beginning. I am reliving each moment I was by her side that morning, afternoon, night. Even if I knew she was frail and consumed with dementia, the death…that total loss was a new sense of aching emptiness. It was shocking in the sense I had no idea I could feel this much loss at first.
As I sit here hours before her death a year ago, I cannot help but playback moments of that long day. I couldn’t go to work today…called in sick as I knew I would be of no service to youths or young adults in crisis…my soul was tired and my heart too fragile. I thought it would be the day of her passing I would feel this intense loss and need to revisit those last hours we shared together in love… symbiosis.
When I think of the time of her death being just minutes after midnight, it would make sense to be mindful of the day before. My mother would also retell me every year hours leading up to my birth which was minutes after midnight as well.
Thinking back on the births of my two children, I cannot help but be reminded of the day before they were born because those were the preparation hours, things we did not quite realizing when those babies would peak their little faces to the light and out of that warmth.
Every year I relive those moments before my children were born as I do for my grandson being present then as well.
Holding my newborn son years ago, I remember wondering (even if I was happy and had been waiting years to have this first child) how I will cope in this new beginning. Will I manage? Will I be good enough? What is ahead now is new territory I had never experienced before firsthand.
When you lose someone you love deeply, as I am feeling with my mother, I feel somewhat similar feelings…that awkwardness, self-doubt on how I will manage through the rest of my life without her. Not being able to phone her, visit her, tell her how much I love her…thank her for loving me and giving me so much all her life. No, this is new terrain at any age. It is a new beginning of a life motherless, fatherless as well…a new experience as the next generation to pass on and see myself in that new role.
As I think of birth and death, the same exercise goes on in my mind…reliving those hours before that first cry, that last gasp.
(troiku)
Birth and death
time before a milestone
engraved forever
birth and death
ground breaking
both preludes
time before a milestone
unfamiliar ground
flashing by
engraved forever
first or last
intense synergy
© Tournesol ‘15/12/01
Haiku Horizons “ground”
winterizing (troiku)
trees shedding tippets
crackling spread underfoot
adorn the ground
trees shedding tippets
turning in
season’s long sleep
crackling spread underfoot
awaits winter’s white blanket
foliaged berth
adorn the ground
making way for winter,
different shades of brown
© Tournesol ’15
Tournesol dans un Jardin 