New Beginnings–a Haibun

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They closed the door on all that had been and headed down the rocky path to the dirt road. Miriam glanced over her shoulder as she hefted the tattered bag that held all her belongings and all her dreams. She saw a rat run across the wooden porch and disappear into an opening in the floorboards. Bile rose in the back of her throat and she swallowed it, forcing herself not to vomit.

Zach lead the way and she followed, as she had before. Could she trust him this time? Could she trust her future?

in morning darkness
mockingbird breaks into song
defies hopelessness

Linked to dVerse Poetics where Kelly is asking us for narrative poetry with a nod to the mockingbird as we reflect on the life and death of Harper Lee, author of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Please join us.

 

SiS’s Daily Haiku Challenge–Voice of Spring

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Submitted to SiS’s Daily Haiku Challenge:  http://pendownmythought.blogspot.com/p/haiku-challenge.html  Today’s theme is “lilt.”

Voice of Spring

Spring’s impending voice
lilt of mockingbird, dove’s coo
light-hearted spirit.

It’s May–Now What?

Yesterday was the final day of National Poetry Month and today, the first of May, is the last day of our desert sejour. By participating in Robert Lee Brewer’s daily challenge, I was able to write a poem most every day. I’d have to say that this little piece of the world (Palm Desert) provides ample inspiration: the snow-capped mountain tops, the colors of sunrise and sunset, abundant flora and birds. While most of our hemisphere moves into spring, the desert inches its way toward summer weather with temperatures predicted for the 100’s next week. The flowers are fading and the grass is not quite so lush.

When we get back to Reno, we will plunge back into early spring and all the unpredictabilites of the northern Sierra weather (it snowed last week). The garden will scream for attention. The business of packing up to go home will be replaced by the craziness of daily routines and annual appointments…catching up on reality. It’s not so easy to find time to write or to touch into creativity in a place like this, but so many writers and poets manage to do so wherever they are, whatever their responsibilities. Kudos to us for pursuing our passion, our divine life purpose.

This year in the desert, it’s been Mockingbird who captured my attention. In American Indian tradition, Mockingbird comes into our lives to remind us that we are called to recognize and sing our Sacred Song. I’ll miss the reminders, the lilt of it’s call, but hope to remember the gifts of the desert.