Wednesday, March 4, 2009

End of Winter Haiku

the first robin-
a dull day of chores
suddenly brighter
Stylus Poetry Journal, Sept. 2006

the snow nearly gone-
a white horse grazes
in a muddy field
Ambrosia, Jan. 2009

snow melting-
a slow walk
in slippery slush
Paper Frog, Feb. 2004

Monday, February 16, 2009

THE SWISH OF TIME

The Harlem Valley Rail Line, opened in 1852, running 127 miles north from New York City to Chatham. Now, the last 50 miles is a hiking trail. My husband and I begin our walk in Millerton, a village at the southern end of the trail.

An embankment on either side, ten, twelve feet high, layers of stratified rock pressed one on the other, jagged edges, smooth flat surfaces, glistening with the run-off from melting snow. Clumps of moss cling to them, filling in the spaces like green mortar. On both sides clear water gurgling… puddling at the base. In the shaded sections, ice still on the path.

I imagine a train rolling through, steam engine chugging, smoke stack spewing black smoke, whistle blowing, kids waving from the tops of the embankments. At the stations along the line, loading docks busy with commerce from the nearby mills and farms, keeping the City fed. Local folks going from town to town to shop, visit, attend school. Weekenders up from the City to hunt, hike and dine at the hotels built just for the leisure trade.


lengthening shadows
pursued by the cold
we hurry our steps


Stylus Poetry Journal, July 2007

Thursday, February 5, 2009

TWO TANKA

a flock of crows
gathering in the meadow-
pecking...pecking;
their raucous caws
the voice of the valley

Moonset, Oct. 2008

this day's routine
so like that of yesterday
and the day before;
no change do I make
except to move more slowly

The Country and Abroad, Sept. 2007

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

ANNIVERSARY POEM
for Jan. 28, 2009, 48 years married

the first meeting
in a room filled with chatter
there is but one sound;
your voice alone reaches my ear
long after we say goodnight

World Haiku Review, Dec. 2004

Sunday, January 18, 2009

MORE WINTER POEMS

across the yard
tree shadows jumping
under a cold moon

Hokkku Web Page, March 2004


no appointments
the winter afternoon
fades into dusk

Stylus, October 2006

Saturday, January 3, 2009

WINTER POEMS

the January cold-
a pile of walnut shells
found in the attic

South by Southeast, Jan. 2005


holiday season-
old recipes and traditions
kept alive;
memories to show the young
what love is

Ribbons, "Tanka Cafe," Spring 2006

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

CHRISTMAS DAY 2002
Christmas afternoon at my daughter’s house. Lulled by good food, holiday music and family cheer. Realizing too late we have stayed too long.

a spreading whiteness
as darkness descends—
the intense quiet

Street not plowed. Almost no indication where curbs are. We open the side windows to see better. Heavy- laden trees and bushes reach out to grab at the car and lash us. Can’t make a hill. We back down and try again. A longer run this time, but still not quite. Once more we back down and slide into a drift.

wind-blown snow
the slow slog back
to family

Presence, January 2006

Monday, December 8, 2008

WINTER HAIKU

cold sunshine
yesterday's footprints
remain in the snow

Presence, Winter 2007

below zero
the cold moon
still sends its light

Presence, Winter 2005

Haiku

  weekend getaway coffee on the veranda with a gecko Sense  & Sensibility