I have just returned from two weeks in Sanur,Bali. My first overseas travel adventure for two years. My stay delivered a most relaxing time, enabling me to read, write and relax, -the Balinese people, friendly and welcoming as ever.
This holiday time coincided with the launch of a new writer's notebook, so I had added incentive to fill it with a mass of observations and special moments.
A range of short poems spilled out across my stay in Sanur, a place I have been fortunate to visit several times before. Each time the writing is easy on this tranquil island. I began gently with the flowers blooming close by...
This morning
I looked at the flowers
And said
Thank you.
I looked at the flowers
And said
Thank you.
Alan j Wright
Then came some Haiku as I developed a routine of sitting in Patio Cafe mid morning coffee and contemplation, while watching the world buzz by as words swirled in my head.
Walk the streets early
As earth's vapours are rising
And sunlight is soft.
Large green leaves flutter
Like sails in a slight breeze
Ruffled so gently.
Sunlight through the leaves
Makes filagreed small patterns
On the ancient steps.
Frangipani trees
Release their fragrant essence
White blooms spiral down.
The spider lily
Courts a solitary bee
That buzzes loudly.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and on this occasion our host is Linda Baie. Linda's post commemorates the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a solemn poem.
Ah, Alan, your Bali poems and photographs are so vivid! I especially love seeing the cover of your journal, and the image and rhythm of green leaves fluttering like "sails in a slight breeze."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mona. My time in Bali was both stimulating and relaxing. Creativity arose across a slew of calm days. I am grateful and fortunate. My notebook was a willing repository for words aand ideas.
DeleteA new notebook is such a joy, isn't it? Love your thank you poem!
ReplyDeleteIrene, I remained amazed that after more than forty years of notebook experiences, the rush of a new notebook continues to deliver such a rush of anticipation, the pages hungry for fresh words.
DeleteThank you for sharing your special trip, Alan. I love the 'thank you' to flowers and that 'soft sunlight'! Having a new notebook with you must have been a delight!
ReplyDeleteThe new notebook was such sweet synchronicity, Linda. It was so pleasing to add thoughts and ideas across those easy writing days. Glad you enjoyed the shared words.
DeleteThese poems are a sensory delight! Thank you for sharing your trip to Bali, a destination that seems so exotic! I would love to go there and feel I have been there, briefly.
ReplyDeleteFrom Australia it takes 6 hours to reach, Janice. The closest exotic location for we Aussies. Millions of us visit annually. I'm glad you felt a sense of connection with my posting about my holiday writing adventures.
DeleteAhhhh - thank you for letting us visit such a gorgeous place through your words and pictures! Here's to your now-broken-in new writing journal. :0)
ReplyDeleteGlad you came along, Robin. My new notebook is thriving thanks to my Bali sojourn. Going places always delivers a multitudee of potential stories and stimulating ideas for we writers and poets.
DeleteThank you for such a poetic travel guide, Alan. Your poems are beautiful observations of your trip.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. Thank you for these kind responses.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos! I say, "thank you" to flowers too. They are so gracious and generous with their beauty. And, hooray! for a new writer's notebook. It's a beaut! Someday, I hope to get to Bali. It's gorgeous and so tropical. Ahhhhhhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. A great destination for any photographer, I must say. Hooray for new writer's notebooks from me too.
DeleteI love the simplicity and beauty of that first poem, Alan. What a wonderful getaway!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it was a wonderful getaway, Karen. Thanks for your response to the flower poem.
DeleteThanks for taking me along with you to Bali! I was surprised to see the spider lily -- I first met that gorgeous flower at the San Diego Botanical Gardens in early August!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Mary Lee. The spider lily is quite special. I recall seeing them in Darwin when I worked in schools up there. I'm glad you have seen them. Once seen, never forgotten.
DeleteWhat an amazing place. The peacefulness of your poems reflect how you must feel there. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBali is indeed a fascinating place, Margaret. I think the mood of the poems owe much to the island vibe. Very relaxing vacation.
DeleteAlan, two weeks of peaceful writing sounds fabulous, Alan. Your 2nd poem flows with the beauty of Bali. It brings calm to the reader and I love the saying on your journal. May you continue to bask in the wonder of Bali and create your poems.
ReplyDeleteIt was a treat, Carol. I am both fortunate and grateful for this holiday/writing opportunity. Thank you your kind and affirming remarks.
DeleteThe time and the ease to ust sit and observe! Your noticing is well recorded in those haiku--"filigreed small patterns/on the ancient steps." I'm intrigued by the very last photo...what is flying through the air??
ReplyDeleteSerenity in Sanur, Bali, Heidi. The final image is of kites with extended decorative tails. Sanur hosts a kite festival and each day assorted kites grace the sky with grace and movement.
DeleteThe simplicity of your poems matched with images feels like a little excursion to Bali. What a wonderful thing to have the time in ausch a beautiful place to write. IT makes me think of where I can get out to some nature places near me.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself most fortunate, Cathy. It was like a perefect writing retreat. May you find a place for your writing to nestle.
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