daybreak (tan renga)

I reread this beautiful early morning haiku and felt bad that I had not written a more classical haiku with a softer ending that makes you think…a little. I don’t know the names of many birds, most flower and trees. So honestly, Carpe Diem DOES keep me on my toes…haha…and even before that reading many of Georgia’s poems has taught me a little more each day.

I looked at that photo Chèvrefeuille posted with those lovely shiny droplets hanging from the branch and wrote another completion. The only thing I was missing was the name of a bird that IS still here in Quebec, Canada during late autumn and winter months. So I searched again and found this lovely video about winter backyard birds in Canada. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Well, I actually learned a think or two…again (grins).

Credits: Raindrops on a branch (photo © John Morgan)

early morning
silence before the rising sun
raindrops on a branch © Georgia

early morning
silence before the rising sun
raindrops on a branch
last night’s jeweled remnants
goldfinch stirs from its dream

sky gently
comes to life
daybreak

butterfly gala (haibun)

Monarchs hanging from Eupatorium (Joe Pye) weeds

What an opportunity I am often faced with at Carpe Diem to learn more about nature. I am interested in herbal medicine and when I see such pretty flowers that have these qualities, my curiosity gets the better of me. Searching a bit further I wanted to find places closer to home or at least in North America. I was pleased to discover that many have named this Boneset Eupatorium japonicum flower after an American from New England, Joe-Pye who used the plant medicinally for helping people with typhus fever. In addition to its medicinal properties, both the flowers and seeds have been used in producing pink or red dye for textiles.

It is a lovely addition to any garden especially if you want to attract butterflies who love the sweet nectar of these flowers. They grow from 3 to 10 feet tall! If you want to read more click here. I found that remark about butterflies fascinating and found many photos of that exquisite meeting of butterflies and these flowers. Imagine butterflies gathering together to savour this gourmet gala!

blue clusters
flora stretching tall
high heavens
~
gourmet gala
monarch butterflies drunk,
nature’s nectar

© Tournesol ’14/11/07

daisies for life (tanka)

Daisies are my favourite flower for reasons I have shared in the past. I relate to this flower in so many aspects. It is not especially stunning compared to so many other exquisite floras but it is still attractive and strong. Multiple petals show many facets of my personality…and still many to discover over a lifetime.

Sowing more seeds has allowed me to have daisies for life…children and grandchildren and it all starts with that first born. At that time I thought I would never have enough love to spread…I remember how much I loved my godchild before I ever had children and it worried me a bit. “Is it possible to love a child more than that or as much?” I quickly saw that it was certainly possible and when I had my second child, the love was still in abundance as there is more to spare for my grandson. Recently I’ve had two more grandsons added to our family and the heart seems to just swell more and more. How wonderful to see how the Great Spirit created our hearts and souls.

Today we celebrated the birth of my first born…
(tanka)

daisies for life
meadows seasoned with love
birth of a child
mother’s never-ending love
a family is born

fleur d’automne (haiku)

Carpe Diem

Credits: Wikipedia Yellow Vallerian Flower - Ominaeshi (Japan) — Credits: Wikipedia Yellow Vallerian Flower – Ominaeshi (Japan)

yawning blossoms sigh
whisper tender lullaby
through an autumn wind

fairies chant
chorus of yellow flora
sweeten pleasant dreams

fleurs béantes soupirent
chuchotent une douce berceuse
par un vent d’automne

fées chantent
refrain des fleurs jaunes
sirotent des beaux rêves

cunning owl (tan renga)

Georgia always has such amazing early morning verses you can see at Bastet and Sekhmet blog with colourful tales and beautiful poetry and her exclusive Waka blog. Our host at Carpe Diem has chosen one of her haiku for this week`s tan renga challenge.

early morning
silence before the rising sun
raindrops on a branch (Georgia)

Here is our host`s completion:

early morning
silence before the rising sun
raindrops on a branch (Georgia)

on the deserted beach
I greet the sun with joy (Chèvrefeuille)

I can’t seem to do this one justice with beautiful completions I have read this morning from others and can`t help think of Georgia’s fondness for humour. This is my humble attempt:

early morning
silence before the rising sun
raindrops on a branch (Georgia)

night owl lurks cunningly
mouse, his bedtime snack (Tournesol)