colour orange (haiga)

(c) clr - Tournesol '14 — (c) clr – Tournesol ’14

transfixed am I
burnt orange sky
before it bleeds
~ or ~
transfixed am I
orange strokes on canvas
bleed
~
sun dips
below orange skyline
bleeds farewell

orange
zest to life
a new year

Carpe Diem

a blessing took root (Tan Renga – haibun)

A long time ago two teens pledged their undying love. Coming into adulthood, they finally marry in hopes to plan a family. Year after year, still barren they prayed together by the old oak tree at the river. With prayer and faith, on their seventh wedding anniversary their pleas were answered. Some said they had the luck of the number 7 but the woman knew all too well from where her blessing took root…down by the river bank at the old oak tree.

the old oak’s roots –
reach from past to future
recall last year (c) Björn Rudberg

at the old oak tree, she kneels
rubbing her belly in thanks

faint breeze
whispers through the leaves
swallows chirp

****************************************

After the beautiful description our host gave us at Carpe Diem, I was inspired to write a bit more. Our host describes the various symbols and meanings to the Oak tree:

“The Oak is one of the sacred Druidic three: ‘Oak, Ash & Thorn’. In general, Oak is associated with spells for protection, strength, success and stability, healing, fertility, health, money, potency, and good luck. Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Norse and Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak is frequently associated with Gods of thunder and lightning such as Zeus, Thor, and the Lithuanian God Perkunas. This association may be due to the oak’s habit of being hit by lightening during storms. Specific oak trees have also been associated with the ‘Wild Hunt’, which is led by Herne in England and by Wodin in Germany. Oak galls, known as Serpent Eggs, were used in magical charms. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Druids and Priestesses listened to the rustling oak leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages. Burning oak leaves purifies the atmosphere. In general, oak can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special ‘flavor’ to the magic.” Carpe Diem

Life is a play (haibun)

First words of the New Year 2015:

I wake up to blowing winds and white dusted grass and realize it is the first day of 2015. What is different today except for the snow? My bones may be a bit more brittle, my skin drier, my hair is tangled in knots but my heart is still filled with love. My mind is calling to me softly today, and whispers stories of peace and love.

dreams are stories
played out in our minds
life is the stage

Life is a Play (haibun)

home alone (haiku)

revellers party
toasting another New Year
cat dreams of fish

cat dreams of fish
silence chills the New Year
home alone

home alone
enjoying my solitude
Google glitters

a father’s blessing (haibun)

New Year’s Eve was exciting when I was a child up to early teens. There were traditions, like being the first to say Happy New Year to your parents or calling them on the phone if they were out at a friend’s celebrating, I would dial all the numbers (on a rotary phone of course) and not release the last number until the stroke of midnight and beat my father to wish my mom Happy New Year.

But the real excitement (for me at that time) was beating my sister to reach my father so he could bless me for the New Year. I would kneel in front of him wherever he was in the house and he would make the sign of the cross over my head and then kiss me on my forehead.

We were only two in the family so it was not really a grand event. In my mom’s family there were seven children and they would all gather in the living room on New Year’s Day and GrandPapa would bless them as well as my grandmother. It was sort of like a good omen for the new year. I suppose if you went to mass or church services and the minister or priest blessed you before you left it might feel the same but New Year’s was special for that reason for me.

children kneel in wait

in the name of the Father,

blessing a New Year

Carpe Diem Haik Kai

new bond (haibun)

It was beautiful to see the patience a young child can have despite his age, his anticipation and yet, he managed it with eloquence. For a few years he would be so happy to see my cat at home so he could pet her, hold her and perhaps even play with her. The attempts were always short-lived and he would leave discouraged, certain that this picky feline did not like him. Try as I might to explain her fickleness was part of her personality and that in time if she saw him more often, she would certainly come around. And come around she did this week.

Since he slept in “her” spot, I was actually surprised that she was drawn to him instead of being jealous but no, she totally drew closer and his patience certainly paid off. To see him beaming when he started petting her…that she allowed him to even touch her was magical to see.

Patiently waits,
human-animal bond
first calm

MindLoveMiserysMenagerie – Heeding Haiku with HA – New Year

train ride home (Kikobun)

I had spent a very brief visit with my family in Toronto last summer after a four-day retreat. I always look forward to the long ride returning home to Montreal. It gives me time to adjust to the change of places and reminisce of things I did, people I saw and the life I once had here. I had time to think of my new personal mantra I was given which I could practice for over four hours and how much a part of my heart is still in this city I once called home.

Settling by the window, I allowed the train to rock me like a lullaby…chug chug chug…eyes focused on the city we are crossing, up above on elevated tracks…I am on top of the world and once we are further out, buildings become scarce. Kilometres of meadows, farms and the occasional crossings in smaller villages flash by…my eyes begin to feel so very heavy. I am sitting on the opposite side I usually sit for Lake Ontario is on the other side. I will be noticing a different view on this trip.

I see fields and fields of tall grass as it is time for the first harvest of hay. As we sped by I saw stacked bales of hay each farmer displaying his own mark…some tight round bales, some bales shaped like huge barrels and some square blocks. From the train they looked like mounds of hay or straw plants or shrubs.

The loud echo of the train’s whistle at some crossings roused me and I admired the sky changing colours as the sun began to set…the man across from me gave in to the lullaby but I am still like a little child fighting sleep always, in the event I just might miss something.

rocking on steel rods
fields flashing on fast-forward
a man snores

Carpe Diem Ghost Writer, Hamish Gunn has asked us to write a Kikobun; this is writing about about a journey, or part of a journey or wander. The idea of it being about wandering and observing is very relevant.

Skies explode (haiku)

Montreal Old Port fireworks festival Dec 2014

hands merge
twelve chimes the clock
heavens alight

twelve chimes the clock
hugs, kisses and cheers
Bonne Année

heavens alight
streams of gems fizz
revelers toast

Carpe Diem

bleu lavande (haibun)

Many farmers give directions very differently than city people are accustomed to. Living in a very small town we would chuckle a bit when asking for directions when looking for directions to get the best sweet corn or my favourite apples that were usually the first category that came out early in the season…Lobo of course, juicy and tart they made your lips pucker.

Directions were often turn left at the red silo and at the fork keep to your right until you get to the Old School House make a sharp left behind the speed limit sign…careful now, you might miss it if you are admiring that old school…city folks are always dazzled by that plain old building. Now keep on going until you get to the Willow Tree. If your windows are open you should smell the lavender field just over the hill. Across the road a fair bit, Fontaine’s tractor should be parked with his trailer full of fresh picked corn of the morning and the afternoon if you come by before supper.

Our host has given us one last haiku by Richard Wright:

This is to inspire us to write in that same tone…the blossoms made me think of various scents of certain trees and plants blossoming. How fitting to include the poignant and soothing scent of lavender!

I have included a link here, describing Mr. Pellerin’s story on how he started his venture in the largest lavender farm, Bleu Lavande, in Canada and second largest in North America. I find his story fascinating. His farm is situated in the Eastern Townships about an hour and half drive from Montreal.

passed the Willow tree
just over the hill, explosion
of lavender

Carpe Diem Special