Every Autumn I go to Seattle to spend a month with my daughter, grand daughter and son in law. So, for the next month, I will be climbing the hills of the Northwest instead of my familiar Yerry Hill Road. I will still be publishing my haiku, as I have become a haiku addict. For those who want to check it out I will be sporadically publishing on my other haiku blog, Haiku To You located at http://haikutoyou.blogspot.com. Goat bleat and wood smoke: Sounds and smells in the morning. There's so much motion.
Old darkened tree stump Seems to be hiding in shade Out of way of life.
Some trees are bare now; Their branches bereft of leaves. Others will join them.
Lying on dirt road A deflated rubber ball Waiting to be squished.
All is quiet now; No sounds carried by the wind, Just dry tick of leaves.
They are evergreen; Must be the way they soak sun Shining to winter.
The road is peaceful; Birds sing and dry leaves stutter, Then dumb schmuck roars by.
The dogs are barking Penned up on this gorgeous day. (I would bark as well).
Invisible crows Caw through the morning sunshine. Dead leaves near the barn. Smell of hay and dung; Moist and rich from the barn door; Goats rustle inside.
A sharp gust of wind; Leaves like brown snow from the trees; The stream is soggy.
Squirrel leaps on the tree Always on the other side: Animal physics.
Like a feral cat Shy woman slightly tilting Walks soft behind me.
Glistening needles In their instant of glory: Pine tree in the sun.
Some leaves are holy Devoured by tiny mouths Before they let go.
Skipping down the road Dry leaves live in the wind's mouth Only to go still.
Air is rich with smells, Some coming from the dark barn To mix with the sun.
A gray webbed puddle Glistens brightly in the field. Where is its owner?
The stream barely moves; Motion is in the bird sounds; A woodpecker thumps.
Green flowers and leaves Cover the old dead tree trunk Bringing forth new life.
The woods are always new; Now a crow sings the shadows; Cackle bursts of light.
Islands of bright light Float between the trees and road; Warm play of sunshine. New blue flowers grow; They are hidden in the shade; Just shy chicory. Two pals, cat and dog Enjoy an autumn morning Each in their own way.
Mistless moist morning; Breath of woods and fields exhale; Perfume of autumn. Mirror in the stream Skims along the smooth surface Just reflecting thoughts.
Man walks his two dogs; Joggers jog two directions. Today is Labor Day. Green and brown pine trees Stand together side by side-- Living and the dead.
They have become steps The tough old brown shelf fungi: Stairway to tree tops.
Small delicate plants Spread out their spidery leaves To catch sun and rain.
Mail boxes are mute; Web on one, other rusted; No messages here.
Old web on dead tree Glistening in the morning sun; There's no one at home.
Crossing the wide road Fuzzy bear changes its mind; Other side? Who cares?
It's a dappled day; Woods, road and leaves all speckled With the play of sun.
Dead leaf on a branch Stuck on its way to the ground Waiting for a gust. Garbage off the road Has been strewn there for six days. Where are the owners?
Sky breaks through the trees With patches of blue and white Framed by shiny green.
One tiny mushroom Grows in the tree stump center-- A forest jewel.
Smashed against the bank Old beer can starts to recede; Nature will triumph. Growling behind me-- Is it a dog or a bear? Oh. Just a cyclist.
Million small droplets Sparkle in the morning sun-- Spider web in field.
