a sense of haiku: January 2022

527. seeking clarity

tongue and groove floor boards

go this way and go that way

but they meet halfway 🦊❤️

First seek to gain clarity on why others hold opinions different than yours. You never know what you might learn about them… and yourself. 🦊❤️

526. as i sip my tea

red, white and the blue

flashing lights and wailing sirens

cozy… sipping tea 🦊❤️

There is wisdom in appreciating & supporting those that keep us safe and cozy. (A tribute to law enforcement) 🦊❤️

525. handwriting on the wall

this wall cannot speak

and two ears it does not have

wink and nod? it can! 🦊❤️

Allow what is around you to speak to you. Silent words are constantly coming your way. 🦊❤️

524. red-nosed reindeer

that odd little tree

stands so tall among the rest

rudolph looks on… smiles 🦊❤️

Trees don’t waste energy looking upward, they spend their time digging their roots deeply into the earth. 🦊❤️

523. missing minnetonka

many moons ago

hunters and gatherers roamed

a lost moccasin 🦊❤️

Time has a way of remembering people(s) that sometimes does not do them justice 🦊❤️

…

“Minnetonka” comes from the Dakota Sioux Indian’s mni tanka, meaning "great water". It is also the name of a prominent shoe manufacturer that specializes in moccasin shoes and slippers.

522. between me and the sky

standing all alone

in a big wide open field

the wind comes… it goes 🦊❤️

I would like to learn how to see what is in front of me… nothing more. 🦊❤️

521. your turn tuesday gallery #30

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in the crispy teens

tracks of all kinds will endure

rain in the forecast

daniel ravasio

…

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clever idea

a cerebral endeavor

one that motivates

michael brna

…

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one foot

and paw into paw

frozen

yulan mimmy san

…

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they left their footprints

daniel and his pal ruffer

daily walk is bliss

normand chabot

…

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life’s a hairy path

sunshine heals our muddy steps

washed his paws with love

michael brna

…

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who was there first

the dog or the human

let’s ask the chicken

joseph conroy

…

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walking the trails can make you muddled

finding direction from footprints in the mud

will most certainly have you befuddled

joseph conroy

…

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you couldn’t see us

but by your side we were

our footprints let you know you are NEVER alone

june kushner

…

i spy

hoof print, dog print or man

leave a clue that you were here

read the signs left behind

eileen brennan

…

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those that came before

and all those yet to pass by

the seasons of time

daniel ravasio

…

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the evidence is clear

don’t think it got far

could we have found a centaur?

joseph conroy

…

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the footprints in the mud

are receipts of our visit

then erased by the rain

joseph conroy

…

side by side

walking together

mindfully, with gratitude

for a deep friendship

marilyn

…

🦊❤️

520. buddhas

buddhas all around

on the shelves… and on the floor

some purring… some not 🦊❤️

Whenever I just sit and watch the cats… I often think, “Wow! I wish I could learn how to be like a cat.” 🦊❤️

519. emil zatopek

emil zatopek

running just like a mad man

my childhood hero 🦊❤️

Emil Zatopek, the famous Czech long distance runner of the 1950’s and 60’s was renowned for his brutal training regimes and his grotesque, contorted running style. Aside from his stellar running ability, he was an outspoken critic of the then Soviet Union’s overtaking of Czechoslovakia, which he paid for through their retribution. He has been a hero of mine since grade school. I have always wanted to honor him in some way through art. I finally did. 🦊❤️

518. growing a shadow

stand up tall… stand straight

pull those shoulders back… chest out…

let the sunlight work 🦊❤️

Standing up straight with your shoulders back is a good first step in so many endeavors. 🦊❤️

517. how much is that doggie in the window?

from behind the glass

two big glistening brown eyes

not for sale i’m sure 🦊❤️

As I was writing this post, I wondered how many people would know the song, “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? Do you? 🦊❤️

516. nowhere to go… nothing to do

a little brick path

it meanders to nowhere

yet to… everywhere 🦊❤️

Yulan always introduces the final “brief final period of relaxation” when leading her yoga classes with the phrase “nowhere to go… nothing to do…”. Sounds so easy…. but so difficult to do… 🦊❤️

515. bittersweet bus stop

we walked hand in hand

such a very cold morning

her hand warmed mine 🦊❤️

It was a very cold morning as I walked my Granddaughter to the bus stop. We walked hand in hand. She didn’t have gloves on. I asked why? She said because they were in her backpack. I said nothing… I just continued to enjoy the warmth of her hand that radiated through my gloved hand. Then I stood and waved to her as the bus pulled away. Her mask had candy corns decorating it. 🦊❤️

514. your turn tuesday # 30

write a haiku inspired by the picture above. classic haiku form is:

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

any three line haiku regardless of syllable count.

whatever style haiku you like

just a poem!!

feel free to do as you please!

Send your haiku’s title and haiku to me at danrav200@gmail.com . You can also use the comment box in the upper right hand corner of the web version of this post to submit your entry. Or, facebook messenger.

Next Tuesday I will post the photo and submitted haikus’s as the post of the day. The author’s name will be included unless otherwise instructed not to include. Looking forward to reading and posting your haikus!!

You can view the previous “your turn tuesday” gallery of haikus here- https://may-king-sense.blogspot.com/2022/01/507-your-turn-tuesday-gallery-29.html?m=1

Thank you.

🦊❤️

513. and penny postcards

when air was a choice

and stamps were just a nickel

my finnish penpal… 🦊❤️

While sauntering around the ruins of an old factory, I found an ancient “airmail” stamper sticking out of the rubble. I remembered my Finnish penpal from grade school days. I wondered how she’s doing? Her name was Gunilla Holmlund I also remembered my grandfather’s stamp collection. 🦊❤️

Note: I prepared this post very early on Sunday morning. In early evening my son Kevin sent me a text telling me that while cleaning out his closet, he came upon my Grandfather’s stamp collection book that I had given him years ago. He knew nothing of my early morning post that mentioned the stamp collection. How weird is that?

(US postage stamps were a nickel (5 cents) in 1964)

512. time travel

the smell of oatmeal

like a chilly grade school morn

oh mom… are you here? 🦊❤️

Left unlocked, our senses can be doorways to times long forgotten. 🦊❤️

511. age and beauty

peeling paint on steel

an artist-less masterpiece

the passing of time 🦊❤️

We should be taught to recognize and appreciate the exquisite beauty that the passing of time creates in things… from a decaying tree to a wrinkling face. 🦊❤️

510. work shift

behind the screen fence

a once bustling factory

deafening silence 🦊❤️

Of all of the work I’ve done in life, the most satisfying and enjoyable were those jobs that allowed me to use my hands to make “things” and be able to look those “things” when completed. The “Joy of Making…” 🦊❤️

509. wise old things

one eyed and toothless

the wise old tree whispering

“come closer - listen…” 🦊❤️

Looking beyond the surface of things can be a challenge… but it is a key skill to grow if you want to branch out in life and become a wise old owl. 🦊❤️

508. still bearing fruit

the trees all stand bare

while the bamboo still bear

picking wildflowers 🦊❤️

The sight of bamboo in the grayness of winter is like a warm summer breeze. 🦊❤️

507. your turn tuesday gallery #29

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buildings just pop up everywhere

covering railroads and streets

how quickly land is covered up

eileen brennan

…

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the bush is long gone

brown, not pretty anymore

but wait, that's the sun

neal steele

…

danger

hidden by branches

the train waits to hit your car

no passing allowed

normand chabot

…

#29

oh what a tangled web we weave

don't cross the line or do it fast

if you want your life to last

thomas might

…

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brown sticks and thickets

tall evergreens alongside

the contrasts of life

michael brna

…

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solid lines all around

jump them all for a real treat

go into the brush fun awaits

june kushner

…

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wonders beyond the solid lines

to cross or not to cross

man on the right will guide me through

june kushner

…

i'm at a crossroads

which way should i go?

i'll take the road less travelled

into the woods

marilyn

…

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life can be so confusing

do we go right or left?

let's stay straight and put up the fight

hold my hand and come with me

us together shall set our minds free

darlene cliver

…

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a box size of 5-7-5?

too restrictive for one so wild

set me free and i come alive

emma jane ahern

...

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some travel by rail

others prefer the pavement

all paths get you there

emma jane ahern

…

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perfectly good road

leading where others have been

"trailblaze" says my heart

emma jane ahern

…

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north of home

south of home, east or west

which way to go

yulan mimmy san

…

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do i dare to cross

those official painted lines?

my feet say, "you must"

daniel ravasio

…

smashing pennies

so much to be found

beside the old railroad tracks

penny for your thoughts

daniel ravasio

…

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deep into the night

i hear a train passing through

the abandoned rails

daniel ravasio

…

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success is staying on track

follow the wrong rails

you will be double crossed

joseph conroy

…

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when it looks like the ride is over

continue moving forward

there's plenty more to see

joseph conroy

…

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a childhood headache

a cool towel on my forehead

a train’s horn echoing

daniel ravasio

…

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trains of my childhood

had cabooses and a guy

who drank coffee there

daniel ravasio

…

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who last passed this way

heading north, south, east or west

searching for true north

michael brna

…

🦊❤️

506. my comfort… your pain

winter weather woes

me, “i’m so happy he’s in”

him, “get meow outta here!!”🦊❤️

I was ecstatic that Tommy was offered protection from a frigid evening in the warmth of the nature center. He on the other hand was not so happy. Just goes to show you…🦊❤️

505. unseen - a case for god

light years of empty

filled with invisible might

they say it’s “by chance” 🦊❤️

Who can deny the invisible rays of the sun? Their warmth? Their power? Their sway? Their presence? Their absence? 🦊❤️

504. banana silliness

oh that final bite

overly ripe and creamy

such a sad face… gulp 🦊❤️

Today I had nothing of importance to post… except a little silliness. I guess a little silliness will have to do. 🦊❤️

503. heavenly light show

that stained glass window

basking in the rising sun

saints inside aglow 🦊❤️

The ever changing view from my apartment’s balcony window is an endless source of fuel for my imagination and feelings of gratitude. 🦊❤️

502. mirror, mirror…

at age seventy

little danny looks at me

from my hall mirror 🦊❤️

I swear… there are moment of yesteryear that are as clear as today. 🦊❤️

501. everything is haiku

a herd of greenness

grazing in a frozen field

huddled to stay warm 🦊❤️

I went to bed last night with no title for this post. I woke this morning and a surprise title was waiting… and it didn’t even wake me up. 🦊❤️ (Dedicated to a trailblazing friend)

500. your turn tuesday #29

write a haiku inspired by the picture above. classic haiku form is:

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

any three line haiku regardless of syllable count.

whatever style haiku you like

just a poem!!

feel free to do as you please!

You can view the previous “your turn tuesday” gallery of haikus here- https://may-king-sense.blogspot.com/2021/12/your-turn-tuesday-28-gallery.html?m=1

Thank you.

🦊❤️

Today’s “your turn tuesday 29” marks a number of important milestones. First and most importantly, it celebrates three years of being alcohol free - 🙏. Secondly it is my 500th consecutive daily haiku blog post. Thirdly it is the first haiku challenge of 2022. I intentionally used a pretty odd and interesting photograph for today’s challenge. I’ve learned that the weirder the photo - the greater the verses that are submitted. Join the celebrations and submit a verse!!

🦊❤️