Migration
the trade winds whispered
hope ascended from her lips
he rose to be kept
like bonded birds of his dreams
migrating the sea for life
Migration
tanka
Depression’s Gambit
Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash
Depression’s Gambit
I allowed myself
a sliver of daylight’s hope
and in rushed despair
and so I cower in bed
as the sun sank towards the west
***
Winter’s Breathing Lesson
My driveway, about a winter ago. Perhaps two winters ago?
Winter’s Breathing Lesson
wolves thrive in winter
a matter of attrition
as their prey weakens
though her canines are not fanged
her biting air stirs my lungs
this winter is tamed
El Nino tempers her howl
flurries become rain
I’m steeled for a land of white
the mist still chills our pack’s trail
weather-guessers clash
none know what tomorrow brings
I embrace the void
cooler, darker than last moon’s
I keep my howls to myself
***
Written for Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Winter, Posted by Sumana Roy.
NOAA predicts a warm, wet winter for the Seattle area this time (so no snow days), but Farmer’s Almanac says batten down the hatches for unseasonably cold weather.
I was going to write a satire about the two conflicting predictions from the dual weather sages, but mindful presence moved me in a different direction.
I haven’t looked at the data for myself, but meh, I’m genuinely good with either outcome. 🙂
And because I love BOTH versions…
Prayer at Journey’s End
Photo by Alvin Engler on Unsplash
Prayer at Journey’s End
A fork in the path
I smile at the road you’ll take
I envy your route
It leads you where I know not
I pray for your safe journey
Nothing ever lasts
Majestic mountains erode
I will miss your shade
A cool relief from harsh light
Your kindness hugging the winds
Faith rarely leads me
And yet I pray for your fate
On roads, still unknown
May your smile inspire smiles
And your kindness, met in kind
Wielding gentleness
Against the tide of cruelty
Your morning respite
Filling my cup with promise
Restoring my karmic faith
All endings are thus
Our Eras intersecting
Peace where our lines meet
Your smile, gifted upon mine
Engraved upon flesh and stone
I’m not known to pray
But I’ll stomp and shout for you
Evil spirits leave!
Do not darken my friend’s fate!
Leave her spirit light as air!
Temporal waves crest
Energy fuels momentum
We tumble forward
Unsure of destination
Yet better after meeting
A fork in the road
Your fate awaits your footfalls
As mine veers away
May your journey bring you joy
Your good fortune, unending.
***
New Day
Photo by LoboStudio Hamburg on Unsplash
New Day
Mist melts with sunrise
Summer rain kaleidoscopes
Purging man’s folly
Nature laughs at his hubris
Her blossom scents go ignored
Clouds conceal sunrise
Morning breeze dovetails through trees
Shushing our madness
Who will hear tomorrow’s song
If we close our hearts today?
***
Day 7 – untitled
hazy shades of gray
lazily blurring the lines
I exist, but not
my blood rushes to color
the margins clutching my soul
***
A storm is brewing. We may lose power. I’m tired. I’m cold. I’m also grey.
Meh. Have a tanka. It’s all I got.
