While some are still getting more of the wintry white stuff...
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| Birdfeeders in the snow. Photo by George A. Heidenrich |
Others are beginning to enjoy warmer temperatures and the first signs of spring...
I'm quite sure Old Man Winter is not done with us yet (even here in North Florida), but while we enjoy a breather, I'm delighted to welcome the sunny and talented Matt Forrest Esenwine to the Haiku Garden. Many of us have been missing Matt while he recovers from an injury and his blog Radio, Rhythm, and Rhyme has been on hiatus.
It's a special treat to have you here today, Matt!
Thank you for inspiring us with this little beauty:
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| The Nature In Us |
beside her chrysalis
butterfly rests
church-window wings
Ever the optimist, much of Matt's writing reflects a refreshing, hopeful, and positive tone. That's one of the things I like best about his poetry. Whether playful or heartfelt, his writing is always thoughtful and full of life. And if Matt says warmer days are coming, you can bet that I'm a believer!
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| faeryhearts |
If you would like to share a haiku on Today's Little Ditty in the future, please contact me at michelle (at) MichelleHBarnes (dot) com, or by commenting below.
Love the idea of 'church-window wings', Matt. So happy you shared!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Linda, thank you!
DeleteI agree with Linda, Matt! I am a haiku fan of long-standing. I still have my copy of In a Spring Garden from my second year in college! It's a treasure if you haven't seen it. My friend and I had to do a project using some new learning gimmick, programmed learning it was called. We had to break something into tiny steps and move a long to the end. We did haiku. Chose haiku because I loved it and the book, but sort of a travesty of the Gestalt of haiku finding-- the moment and the essence like you did. Have you ever seen the whole metamorphosis of the monarch from caterpillar to butterfly? It is worth doing if you can find any these days. We all need to help the poor monarchs. Have you heard that news? I will share this with kids and they will like it and "get it"! Thanks, Matt and Michelle. I also love how you do not adhere to the school idea that a haiku has to be 5-7-5.
ReplyDeleteJanet F.
I have, in fact, watched a monarch go from caterpillar to butterfly! Several years ago, my 2 older girls found a caterpillar and we put him in a jar with some leaves and a twig - and within a few days, he had built a cocoon! When he was about to pop out, we brought him outside so he could be born in his natural element...and within a few minutes, he was fluttering and scoping out our large sumac tree!
DeleteThanks for the book recommendation and for sharing your classroom experience, Janet.
DeleteIt's February
ReplyDeleteWinter white with cardinal
Hope for early spring.
Love this-- I can picture it so vividly, a small spot of hopeful red against a vast white backdrop.
DeleteLove the church-window wings, Matt.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I saw yesterday, bringing the promise of spring:
winter robins
gather on the muddy lawn
beaks prod the soft ground
Glad you liked it, Buffy - thanks!
DeleteI love the picture you evoke here, Buffy-- the pre-spring muddiness and those beaks prodding. Thanks for sharing your haiku!
DeleteComing out of a chrysalis is tiring -- glad the butterfly had some well-deserved rest! I hope Matt has also been catching his breath. :-)
ReplyDeletechatter at recess --
a "wintry mix" is coming --
snow days still delight.
Indeed I am, Tabatha, thanks!
DeleteEven my kids dream of snow days, and they've never had one in their whole lives! Thanks for sharing, Tabatha.
DeleteSorry to hear of your knee injury--I've had three knee surgeries and can relate to the pain/recovery! "church-window wings" Holy smoke--that is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura!
DeleteAnd, Michelle--our yard (here in Minnesota) looks just like your snow picture:>)
ReplyDeleteThat photo is of my parents' yard in Pennsylvania (outside Philly). I'm sure they will be delighted to know it meets Minnesota snow standards! Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
DeleteChurch-window wings, love it. Hope you are healing quickly, Matt. Missing your voice out here in the wild.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret - I hope to be contributing more, soon!
DeleteGorgeous layering of images, Matt!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura, I appreciate that!
Delete