For November, at Michelle Barnes's
Today's Little Ditty, a challenge was suggested by editor, Ann Rider. We were asked to write a poem about a place of refuge and solace. The challenge poems are all found
here. I have illustrated my contribution, a haiku sequence, with a photo from a nearby woods:
Click on the image to enlarge. © Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Text:
The Woods: Haiku
spring mud
watching holes I poke
fill with water
I close my eyes
to feel the give of moss
underfoot
unable not to
shuffle through the leaves
...shall I sing, too?
so unexpected
this effervescent
sound of sleet
Head west to visit fellow librarian, Jone, at
Check It Out.
"this effervescent sound of sleet" - Gorgeous. As is your sequence presented with the image above. Thanks for sharing, Diane!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that you get a lot of sleet in your neck of the woods, but up here, the sound of it is exactly like being immersed in a giant glass of seltzer!
DeleteI agree -- a giant glass of seltzer!
Delete"unable not to
ReplyDeleteshuffle through the leaves
...shall I sing, too?"
- oh that we can sing the song of a thousand mornings (mary oliver) every single day. :)
I'm honored that you made a connection to Mary Oliver!
DeleteI would love to hear you sing while the moss drips a counterpoint. :-)
ReplyDeleteNot a good thing to wish for. I love to sing, but it's mostly out of tune with the words in a hash!
DeleteI love that you show how the woods takes on different personas with each season, Diane. It's no wonder this place of solace means so much to so many. Beautiful presentation, as always!
ReplyDeleteBTW, the poems are all the same, of course, but this might be an easier link for folks to view all the poems from the November challenge: https://padlet.com/TodaysLittleDitty/RefugeSolace
DeleteThanks, Michelle, I changed it.
DeleteThanks, Michelle! I wonder how the woods of FL compare with those of NH?
DeleteYour picture reminds me of a place where a spring bubbled near our cabin, Diane, and now you've given it a voice for me. I love that change made, lively as each season is.
ReplyDeleteHold onto that memory, Linda!
DeleteBeautiful sequence, Diane! Your sensory details are wonderful and transport me to the woods.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama. The woods, if you take the time, can appeal to all your senses. Including taste--I'm thinking of wintergreen, wild blueberries.
DeleteThat last haiku is just perfect, Diane - I shall think of sleet differently now.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we're generally stuck thinking of sleet and treacherous driving.
DeleteDiane, these words pop out at me for a visual and auditory experience in the woods: feel the give of moss, shuffle through the leaves, and this effervescent
ReplyDeletesound of sleet. Needless to say, your haiku sequence is wonderful.
Thanks, Carol. I try!
DeleteGORGEOUS. You made me laugh with "...shall I sing, too?" And who ever would describe sleet as effervescent, and yet I knew it precisely. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you recognized it, Heidi.
DeleteOh, for a nearby patch of woods. I could use some of this kind of solace on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of woods within a short drive (like 5 or 10 minutes), the thing is, it's hard to find someone to accompany me. It's a sad world when we have to avoid going into the woods alone.
DeleteI am now remembering that sleeting sound, far south here in North Flordia
ReplyDeletewith your evocative Haiku, Diane. Thank you.
And moss - the thought of it/the image of it always makes me feel soft.
Appreciations for this post.
This is enchanting, Diane! Such a wonderful description of the winter woods.
ReplyDeleteDiane, the presentation of your sequence is gorgeous. I can feel the moss give underfoot and hear the sound of shuffling leaves. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteVery richly worded, Diane - esp.the "effervescent sound of sleet!" Perfectly described.
ReplyDeleteI love the combo of the photo and the words. And this: "this effervescent
ReplyDeletesound of sleet" perfecto.