Haiku Garden: Elizabeth Steinglass

"Haiku is not just a form of poetry. It is a way of being in the world." 
                   ~ Elizabeth Steinglass, "Why Haiku"


Some of you may recall that Elizabeth Steinglass visited Limerick Alley last August with a whimsical little ditty about a boy and his preferred mode of transportation.  Since then, I've had the pleasure of discovering many more layers to her talent.  Both on her blog and in the Poets' Garage, I've witnessed how diligently Liz applies herself to her craft -- in study and in practice -- and I simply can't get enough of her vivid imagery.  It's as if she writes with a paintbrush.

Haiku is one of the forms where I've watched Liz's talent blossom.  She has published a number of wonderful haiku on her blog and in respected journals such as The Heron's Nest, Frogpond, A Hundred Gourds, and Acorn.   How could I resist inviting her back to Today's Little Ditty for an appearance in the Haiku Garden?

                             bedtime
                             I follow the moon
                             through the dark

                             © 2014 Elizabeth Steinglass. All rights reserved.

Photo: Derek Gavey

Reading Liz's poem reminds me of my daughter, who, for the last five years, has been leaving the curtains open to sleep under the Moon's watchful eye. 







I can think of a couple other children who have done the same.  Harold, for instance:

   









                    
                                   And this little tyke with the long ears: 

                                   


Was the Moon one of your childhood friends?  Maybe, like me, she still is a trusted companion.

Just the thought puts me in the mood for a warm glass of milk.

Thank you, Liz,  for joining us today and sharing such a soothing haiku lullaby.

Have you been thinking about your Poem Movie or Poem Picture for Sylvia Vardell's and Janet Wong's ditty challenge this month?  (Click here for details.)  Perhaps something about the Moon would be nice.  My own contribution was not about the Moon, but it was about the sky... from the viewpoint of a skylight.  If you haven't already, I hope you'll take a look.

Also be sure to check out Margaret Simon's beautiful video, "En Plein Air on the Bayou," at Reflections on the Teche. 

To be in the running for a copy of THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR SCIENCE, I hope you'll send your video or picture file to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com; or, if you prefer, host your movie or collage online and send me the link.

You'll find plenty of inspiration at the Poetry Friday roundup.  

Today's host is Catherine Johnson.