This land

Once upon a land, the sun dawns bright day
over rolling valleys of green, forests
of Douglas fir, spruce, pine, aspen, balsam 
blanket fields and mountains carved by glaciers

Once upon a land, sky is never ending 
over long shadows of fir, larch, pine trees
wild creatures graze and roam, untamed but for 
wind roaring the birth cries, chanting dead songs  

Once upon a land, the full pearled moon  
shimmers over the alpine lake, milk-blue sheen
We will stay here, bedding, forging new paths
We will die here, marking our scents & tales

Bison Blog

Bison herd was reintroduced in Alberta, Canada in Feb. 1, 2018.  Since then Banff's bison herd has been growing, thriving as it explores new range, Parks Canada says.  All 10 expectant mothers successfully gave birth in Banff’s backcountry; bring the total number to 34.  Source.

Posted for dVerse poets - OpenLinkNight, hosted by Kim Russell.   

Symmetry in Threes

rising in early spring
i grow with milky eyes
nestling amidst a whorl of 3 leaves

sharing the forest floor with ostrich ferns,
and wild ginger, my three-pointed bloom
a trinity of beauty

under shades of blue ash trees
my scent of lemon oil, alluring 
even as i droop by summer, i'm pink, pink, pink- 

Note:  large flowered trillium is the provincial flower of Ontario, Canada.  

Posted for D'verse poets Pub - Poetics hosted by Mish.  We are writing from nature's point of view ~  Join us when the pub opens at 3pm EST.

Morning duet

We walk, inhaling the cool winter morning.  The last two days teased us with spring-like warmth, curling our toes in anticipation of the first blooming of magnolias.  Nearby, dogs run excitedly towards the dog park.  We amble towards the wooden bridge, careful of the snow-crusted grass.   Over the bridge, we witness a family of ducks, busily combing the grass and shallow waters for food.  Even with bare trees and melting ice-path, nature serenades a peaceful hymn.  

grey dove hums above

tree with red thistle ends-

sun crackles - first note-

Dove from this morning's walk

Posted for Haibun Monday - The Best Things in Life are Free- Hosted by Toni Spencer (Kanzensakura).   Join us when the pub opens at 3pm EST.

In awed of Mother Nature

Vulnerable.   Awed.  Frightened.

These were my feelings when I watched the videos of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan yesterday.   My own earthquake memories came back to me - the swaying of the tall office building and furniture while everyone is scrambling to go down the emergency exit.   It may have lasted  a few minutes or even seconds but feeling the earth tremor and shake always remind me of our vulnerability in relation to Mother Nature.    With one sweep and movement, buildings and houses fall, boats, cars and roads are swept away, trees and land boundaries are changed by earthquakes and its after effects - landslides, floods,  fires and tsunami.

I remember one incident where this lesson was displayed for all to learn.   We had rented a mid sized boat to "entertain and reward" the top sales people in our company one summer. En route to an island for sight seeing, we experienced a sudden downpour and turbulence which shook our boat and made everyone hang on to dear life.   Though we had our safety vests and emergency gear, we were not prepared to be tossed out of the boat and swimming to the nearest shore.   We all kept silent, held hands and prayed for the dark clouds to pass.    All of us in the boat, even the big bosses and top salesmen,  were brought down to our knees as we felt Mother Nature's power and might.   We were no different from the men in the olden times who have felt fear in the face of natural disasters.

Even though we have gained knowledge and progress in health, technology, and science, Mother Nature is still unpredictable, and continues to puzzle us.   With the sudden changes in the weather and the climate, she reminds us that our presence in this planet is that of a visitor - a tenant even.    Just someone passing by and not having a stake or claim in this land despite our land titles.    In one moment, all that we have worked for, our business, our house, our neighborhood, even our loved ones, can be gone in a blink in the event of a tornado,  cyclone, earthquake, volcanic eruption and other natural disasters.

Oftentimes in the aftermath of the destruction, and loss from natural disaster, we learn the value of love, care and helping other people in great need.  And most of all, we learn to live our life passionately as if today is the most beautiful and important day of our life.

What about you?   Have you ever experienced an earthquake or a natural disaster?

Photo credit:


http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap010127.html

Where are you heading to?

As long as you know what you want, and where you want to go, it doesn't matter where you started. For some people, this may take many years as it takes a lot of courage and faith in oneself to know where you are heading to.

"It's not where you are today that counts. It's where you are headed." - Arthur F. Lenehan



Photo credit:   http://www.get-a-glimpse.com/atomPhotoBlog.php?do=show&photoId=881
by Paolo Micheli

Simple beauty of nature

I live and work in the city most of my life.   So it is a challenge to catch and gaze on nature’s beauty when you are surrounded by roads, cars, noise, concrete sidewalks and buildings.  

The times I am able to catch a sunset or walk around the park or lake, are infrequent and few.   So it is a real blessing when I am able to, and just let the moment of solitude and peace seep into my mind and body.    

Nature speaks without saying anything ~ are we listening?

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” ~ Anne Frank

Picture Credit:   Agarkov Anton

In the eyes of the child

We often forget that the child views the surroundings differently from ours.

We were walking along the trail of the creek one summer, when my 11 year old daughter got the camera and started taking pictures.   To me, the surrounding meadows look wild, unkempt, and hardly worth a second glance.

From her pictures, my daughter saw something else.   She was crouching close to the ground, delighted to see flowers growing amongst the unspoiled plane.   She particularly noticed this white delicate flower growing serenely amidst the wilderness.

Through her eyes, I saw the beauty, simplicity and serenity of Mother Earth.

There are certainly a few things we can learn from our young children.

Who you think you are not

Find your passion and go for it! 

Whether you are thinking of doing something new or re-focusing on what you want to do, all I can say is TRY IT.   You will never know the depths and heights of your passion, and your true colors until you are actively engaged in doing the one thing that you love to do.  

     

“It is not who you are that holds you back

It’s who you think you’re not.”

Andes Sunset Eclipse, Argentina

Photo credit:   http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100715.html