He doesn’t like me to say
When the last rose of summer gives way
But I am not grieving, just noticing
Last Day of September Haiku
wind rustles the leaves–
a different song in autumn
than it played in June
Autumn Equinox Haiku
bees and butterflies
still kiss the purple flowers
in the crisp, bright air
Indian Summer Haiku
a great stillness hangs
in the stifling air, but temps
in the 70s
Samhain On Its Way Haiku
sunlight slants at three
cold frames on the planting beds
Samhain on its way
Image credit: Ofer El-Hashahar via Flickr, cc 2.0
Gifts from the Tree Friends in Autumn: Two Oaks, Two Maples
Direct experience of nature is a major theme in my writing. Technology has also figured strongly in my life: both professionally and in my growth as a writer/artist. The image below incorporates both nature and technology. I’ve taken leaves collected on walks during my recent convalescence, scanned them, and color-corrected them to document the bright autumn colors that never seem to translate in untouched photographs. Clockwise from top left, the leaves come from a red oak, a sugar maple, a white oak, and a red maple. The sound of the wind in the leaves, the feel of trees arching over my head and burrowing their roots into the ground, and their life cycle which mirrors the wheel of year are all powerful grounding forces for my body, heart, mind, and spirit.
Haiku(ish): Scarlet Leaf on Grey Steps
one scarlet leaf
on the grey steps
among the bronze-brown litter
of the oaks
Frances Donovan
Gratitude List: Fall Allergy Season Edition
• A wide social network
• Friends and family who know the me that exists beneath the facade of social media
• An emergency room just a few minutes away from my home that provides prompt, high-quality care
• A doctor’s office that knows my history and will see me when I’m sick
• Health insurance that makes it possible for me to seek out care without breaking the bank
• Knowing that many other people in my part of the world are suffering from respitory ailments — that I’m not alone in my suffering
• The kind of job that won’t fire me because I’m sick and can’t come to work
• Zyrtec, Robitussin, Tessalon pearls, and Albuterol
• A partner who’s willing and able to drive me to the doctor when I’m too sick to drive myself
There’s more to be grateful for than this. My life is changing very rapidly right now, and the stress of those changes has no doubt contributed to my getting so sick. But for today at least, I’m going to focus on resting, healing, and getting better. And on all the positive supports in my life that make that possible.
Ferry Beach Maine Haiku
last swim of summer
cold like needles on the skin
but the waves buoy me
On the Morning Walk Haiku
the trees in the swamp
glow yellow and red. the trees
on the hill, still green
Garden of Words 