Between the Two Worlds

Glass hummingbird hangs

Secure in front of the screen

Between the two worlds.

No birds are coming

Even though the feeder's full.

(They must be bird brains).

The woods are singing

Their high tuneless song today.

(What does it portend?)

Rumbling from the woods;

Last days of hunting season.

Goat turns to see it.

Overturned trash can

And puddles in the driveway--

Two signs of no life.

How long will it take

This leaning old wooden fence

Before it falls?

Curled and wrinkled now

The "No Trespassing" sign

Has lost its power.

The misty gray glade:

Silent chants of elfin ghosts

And Celtic wonders.

Reminder of Life

From walk of December 4, 2017

What value haiku

As my Charlotte lies dying?

Reminder of life.

Have my two eyes changed

In this shifting season of light

Or is it just me?

Buds have disappeared

From the tips of the lilacs.

Where has the Spring gone?

Monsters are dancing

Above the field and the pond--

Opening steel jaws.

Trickster rays of light

Bring long dead leaves back to life--

Sienna sunshine.

Bright green blades of grass

Spring from the brown leaf cover;

Which is mocking which?

Sits in black in white

In two places like phantom,

Watching me watch him.

The Moods Follow Me

Wood fence is concealed--

Pampas is taking over;

Soon victorious.

First, it's sunny out;

Then the world is gray and dull.

The moods follow me.

Even the red ball

Cannot lift my dim spirits.

I just have to wait.

Rooster looks at me

Poses for a picture;

Curious goat watches.

.

Silently they flit:

Birds to the bushes and squirrels--

Feathered and furry.

It's growing darker--

Trampoline is lined with leaves

Under the gray sky.

Children have vanished,

But still the road sign remains;

(Their laughter is gone)

Overturned trash can

In front of empty bottle;

There's nobody home.

What mystery this

In neatly tied plastic bag?

Discarded dog shit.

Make Their Own Bridges

November morning;

Shadow scuttles on the floor;

Insect ? (Or my mind?) 

Furry bump on tree

Turns into a sleek squirrel;

Then a bump again.

Wind chimes are clinking

Keeping time to the wind's song

With their own rhythm.

No cloud in the sky--

Fantasies of a snow storm

Still live in my mind.

Planted on the car

Tree shadows assume their place

Without any care.

As if by design

Tree branches in the forest

Make their own bridges.

Sun drenched mountain path

Leading, as always, nowhere.

(Good enough for me.)

Fern light flourishes

Enhanced by kiss of the sun

And gentle caress.

 

Raises Some Questions

Bright November day;

Even dead leaves look lively;

Spider web strands shine.

Evergreens are green;

Rhododendron buds are full;

Is winter coming?

Etched on the tree trunk--

Maps of strange territory

Still to be explored.

Back to back they stand--

Collette and Olivia

Across the barnyard.

Queen Anne's Lace clutches

Tiny tender blooms that were--

Now live as dry ghosts.

A trail of pine cones

Lining up along the road

Raises some questions.

Low slung woodpecker

Hit these trees--nobody saw;

(Must have been at night.)

Old fence loses teeth,

Falling incrementally;

Needs some new bridge work.