Somehow, I ended up back at magneticpoetry.com again. I had to add words a couple of times to get sufficient “ands.” My first thought was to “celebrate with coffee,” but then again, coffee itself is something to celebrate. It was serendipitous that I found the perfect image for this poem.
White clover, dandelion, buttercup and wild violets line the pathway that I walk. Just between the path’s edge and the grass, golden, stringy pollen catkins, which have fallen from the oaks, collect themselves. A miniscule, yellow-tan butterfly alights on a branch of Cherokee rose, and a beetle crosses my path. As I climb the hill, the trees overshadow me, and I am grateful for their shielding from the hot sun. A chipmunk clambers over a log, and a robin, perched in a tree, flits away as I approach.
in the shadow of
the trees, a doe hides herself
from human presence
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
This is an autobiographical account. My phone was out of battery power or I would have taken my own woodsy photo. The theme this week for Tanka Tuesday, hosted by Colleen Chesebro of Word Craft Prose & Poetry, is “travel/journeys,” so I thought it worked perfectly with a haibun and another walk in the woods.
The moon shines full through a purple-gray veil of cloud. She peers through, partially hiding her face, but the cloud can not completely conceal her glow and beauty. The wind stirs the garden under the moonlight, rustling the trees and shrubs and carrying the scent of May flowers. Branches of the weeping cherry tree sway, dancing with the rhythm of the wind. The peonies’ heavy blossoms, bursting with frills like dancers’ tutus, join in the wind dance. Birds twitter their lullabies and evening songs.
And in the distance,
Dogs join the bird song with howls.
Howling at the moon?
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
This haibun and haiku was written for dVerse’s “Flower Moon” haibun challenge. It is a mostly true account, a kind of composite of experiences. I did walk outside in the garden for inspiration. It seemed like a very poetic thing to do to go outside and stare at the moon.
I want to take you on a virtual walk with me, inspired by Restless Jo’s Monday Walk, with a little haibun (Japanese poetic prose,) haiku, park photography and a little down-to-earth information about our experience.
On Saturday, I walked with a new doggy client, Luce (pronounced Loochay,) a handsome dog, a Brittany spaniel and dachshund mix. We walked through Verona Park in Verona, New Jersey, and as it was a nice day, the park was busy with people doing everything possible to do in the park: fishing, cycling, walking dogs, playing tennis, paddleboating and using the playground and the exercise stations around the walking path.
We traipse along the paved path, Luce moving ahead of me, waving his tail like a feathery fan. We pull to the water’s edge where the sun glints against the smooth surface. The blurred reflection of the trees in the water resembles an impressionistic painting. A central fountain shoots its spray, creating a relaxing soundtrack, while distant swanboats glide through the pond.
Other swans dock at the shore, awaiting passengers, their beaks face to face, creating a heart in the negative space between them.
Intense pink dianthus greet us, lifting their frill-framed faces to the sun.
The shadows of the trees create lacy patterns on the wide stone path bordering the lake while a paddleboat floats under the arch of a stone bridge.
A cluster of irises grow at the water’s edge, their yellow teardrop petals drooping gracefully.
A weeping willow’s tendril-like branches sweep the water’s surface. They hang like a fairy maiden’s hair prepared for a wash. Its branches majestically arch and curl above the reflective water.
Luce, though placid, is drawn to the sight and smell of two ducks in the water.
A green-headed mallard
and his mate float together,
on a man-made raft.
© 2021 Susan Joy Clark
------------------------------------------------------------ Luce and I had some refreshment at the Snack Shack at the boathouse after our walk. I had forgotten to bring water or a dog bowl, and as I was too distracted to notice the signs forbidding dogs on the dock, I carried Luce over to the Snack Shack order window. I bought a drink for myself and a bottled water and asked if they could give me a bowl for the dog. The kind employee at the window alerted me to the "no dogs" rule but provided a bowl for me. I thought they might have a disposable one, but he gave me a melamine plastic one. We sat at a nearby lakeside bench to refresh ourselves, but I didn't break the rules again in order to return the bowl, so I hope that they were able to retrieve it from where I left it. I appreciate the kindness of that employee.
