Monday, September 4, 2017

September 2017

As I sit here watching ash snow down on us from the fires all around Oregon, I am reminded of this poem I wrote 2 years ago.  In 2015 we had maybe 1 or 2 days of this hazy weather, and we were so traumatized by it.  Looking back, that was nothing.  This poem sums it all up pretty well, though, I think.



End Times?

Orange half moon hangs in the sky
In the city
Smoke billows past my door
From wildfire miles away
The haze
Eerie
Feelings of helplessness pervade
The news talks of firefighters killed on duty

In the city
We think we are safe from the flames
But the smoke also damages
Lungs, eyes, noses of children and our elders
Brows furrowed with worry
We are compelled to be in it
Experience it

911 calls - " I smell smoke!"
Surreal
Years past
Nature blotted out the sun when a mountain blew
This manmade nature has set the land on fire
It seems that sunset lasts all day
The light is the wrong color

In the city
With a tear in my eye
And a lump in my throat
I realize
The Northwest is burning.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Elevenie


Arkansas
Death penalty
The Cummings Unit
Drugs expire, men too
Executions

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Berry fields

At the berry fields the dirt is hard-packed. Yet on top is a layer of superfine dust.

I kick off my shoes
the powdery talc poofs up
Around my footsteps


Haibun format

Monday, April 3, 2017

Willie

NaPoWriMo - 4-3-17



Willie


The girls came
along. Bonded.
Easy and 
Timid. We
Thought we knew
How to raise 
Cats.
Then you. Too
Soon. Too
Young. We tried
Our old ways.
One size
Doesn't fit all.




From a NaPoWriMo prompt that asks for  Kay Ryan-esque poem with short,tight lines, rhymes interwoven an animal and a philosophy.     http://www.napowrimo.net/day-one-it-begins/


Fibonacci

George Floyd Trial Family My heart is with you  Watching, witnessing all your pain