This week I turned my attention to natural phenomenon. I made some seasonal adjustments to suit the weather in my immediate world. I set aside my global concerns for a moment and lavished my attention on autumn's glorious gifts.
I returned to a small, leather bound notebook where I gather short form poetry -mainly haiku, tricube and tanka. I wrote in my special notebook across the week inspired by natural phenomena like weather events, seasonal changes and observations related to these mellow days.
This haiku harvesting remains contemplative, calming and reflective. It represents a form of limbering up for further writing across my day. Gymnastics for the mind. Here is a sample of my autumnal harvest.
Autmn Haiku
Autumn sings to me
Like no other season can
Nature’s song, sung sweet.
The leaves change colour
Their variegations dazzling
Across mellow months.
Crisp mornings abound
They usher afternoons lush
With gentle sunlight.
The winds that reach me
Have travelled far to be here
They will sing their song.
The sun is softer
In this perfected season
The fire is waning.
It is yet again, Poetry Friday and our host on this occasion is Jone Rush- MacCulloch. Jone's post is rich with poetry and poetry news across the month of April, National Poetry month in the USA. Jone shares a delightful poem about the essential ingredients that go into the making of poetry.




Alan, I love the contrast of dazzling variegations and mellow months. Those pictures are the prefect inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures say so much, Tracey. The vibrant colours of autumn so dazzling in my garden. Who wouldn't be inspired to create some words to give them company.
DeleteAlan, I especially like, "Nature's song, sung sweet." Autumn is my favorite season, followed closely by spring, as I love the mellow days!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. We are seasonally aligned it seems.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous journal. I especially liked the haiku about the wind. I feel the autumn vibe although today we were at 70 degrees.
That journal was a gift from my grandson, Jone. He has excellent taste. I feel inspired to fill those pages with poems informed by natural wonders. The wind haiku is a favourite of mine as well.
DeleteLove your phrase "haiku harvesting" especially since you are thinking and writing about autumn. This: "The winds that reach me / Have travelled far to be here" When I read these lines about the wind, I thought about the wind at the coast that blows across the Pacific to shore. Alice Nine
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alice. I'm glad my words triggered your own musings. Haiku harvesting reflects my penchant for alliteration...
DeleteAlan, lovely autumn haiku. It is always nice to get a taste of the opposite season from the other side of the world (from me.) "mellow months" "gentle sunshine" and "Nature's song, sung sweet" are swoon worthy! I love autumn.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. Love your use of swoon. Glad you liked my sharing of the season.
DeleteAlan, your seasonal observations are relatable. We are anxiously awaiting spring in our neck of the woods. Your stanza:
ReplyDeleteCrisp mornings abound
They usher afternoons lush
With gentle sunlight.
could apply to our weather now in the Wisconsin Northwoods. I think our lake will open this weekend! The leather bound notebook is gorgeous! I gave our son a similar one that was carved with a map of Yosemite National Park that I found at an art fair last summer. Thanks for the gorgeous fall image, too.
Interesting observation, Carol, regarding the seasonal similarities across these two seasons, be it in different hemispheres. A brief crossover takes places before they drift apart. That notebook is rather special in its design and the paper is high quality as well.
DeleteAlan, your thoughts throughout your poem are filled with peaceful imagery. May you continue to engage in further writing across your days. "Gymnastics for the mind." - Love this line! Even though you are living in the autumn of life, I would love for you to include one of your spring poems and a photo from Australia in my Spring Seeds Gallery.
ReplyDeleteI shall do my best to deliver a touch of spring, Carol.
DeleteAlan, thanks for sharing your process (and I am loving your book!)!!! Love your poem, especially the winds traveling so far and "They will sing their song." I heard them? I also so admire that ending line, "The fire is waning." as it put autumn into so many contexts, including the autumn of a life. Very beautiful and thought-provoking!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Mona. You extend the metaphor with your considered remarks. Much appreciated. I'm so pleased you are enjoying my book. Thanks for the feedback.
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