I cannot truthfully claim agency or credit, when the sweetness of a summery moment loosens me outside my portals awhile and lets a haiku-like awareness inside…
Tag / nature
First Nation
At The Tech Conference
I first came upon Walt Whitman’s poem “Upon Hearing the Learn’d Astronomer” (have a listen) while pretty young, and was confused by it. I’d talked my parents into a cheap telescope for my 8th birthday… knew all the star names and where to find them (this was back when dark skies still existed). But by my university years I got it and was onboard with his sentiments. Here’s my parallel tribute around information technology. (Based on a true story.)
_______RS
[ Image Source (I superimposed the dayglow text) :] (link)
Notes: A tanka is a Japanese short form akin to a haiku, but with a five line structure built of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables. There’s other rules too, which I generally ignore. You can hear a decent narration of Whitman’s brief poem here.
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Bunting Serendipity
I estimate I’ve seen an indigo bunting about four, five at most, times in my life, always without searching for them. Today was one of those times, thanks to my first grader who is sort of being home-schooled at the moment given the virus. Each time I can’t quite believe the intensity of the blue.
First Fisherman of April
Every year he comes briefly and faithful like wild violets, 8 or 9 seasons now, long as I defy the clock and occupy astounded this abode. It’s not true, how things seem, that he projects staunch solitude and won’t converse. But you must approach with reverence for nature, and show you’ve learnt how human natures all command respect. Else most you’ll get is a tipped forehead and good day.
On A Mission, Headed West
A family of five wild turkeys dwelt in this valley last spring, three newborn chicks, one albino. Watched them grow, seen often through the summer. Then their homelands were invaded by an aggressor troop eighteen strong. Occasional brief territorial squabbles, tribal instincts leading to an uneasy union. Then autumn, more sparseness, but so very resourceful. Leaves winding away, their tree roosts sometimes exposed. Then the snows came, early and unceasing. Till finally, one week, only a last intrepid one was still in evidence.
Navajo Healthcare
Three Hawks
Lady From Elsewhen
an illicit kiss in jersey fucking city
sent his gyroscope akimbo one night
and she knows something which you cannot
if you believe it merely a trifle
inflection points in biography maps
scurry into dark recess under scrutiny
like shy but menacing cold-eyed eels
biding moments to deliver destiny’s sting
yoni not unlike the tongues of cows
insisting, not inviting, clutching raw, velcro
leaves an imprint beyond all wishing’s pull:
seed revealed once these bodies decompose
_______RS
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Warbler Serendipity
The first two photos are snaps of the infrequently seen (for me) Chestnut-Sided Warbler. The image on the right is an American Redstart, somewhat more common (for me). Click to enlarge. Both are North American warblers and both paid me a visit on my morning walk today.
||skirmishes|| ||with|| ||reality|| 