Announcement

I have been feeling distinctly uninspired as of late; I am not sure if it is a lull in my personal life, or if blogging has just become a creative burden. I've decided that I will take a rest from posting my poetry for the Winter - say, until February? I am hoping that I can rest my brain and let myself get back to what I love about poetry. You can always find me over at the other blog I contribute to, and probably with greater frequency now.
So, until the Spring I say: let the poetic hibernation commence!

Side Note: Bears, unlike skunks or groundhogs, are not true hibernators. However, since I'm not truly hibernating either, we can let this slide.

Finally Some Snow

Flurry Haiku 

 Watching speckled skies,

cold air echos in my lung.

Silence on the street.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was snowing last night! It didn't accumulate, but it was wonderful to walk in with a cup of hot coffee. It made me immensely happy, and I can hardly wait for some real snow to arrive.

Gross Winter

No Snow Haiku

 Cold mud underfoot,

hardening on my boot's sole.

The air smells too damp.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want snow. I love snow; I think it's pretty, and I don't even mind driving in it. I don't understand why it is 54 degrees in December - it is an outrage! We had a little snow. It soon became ugly and gray, then melted into mud. Gosh darn it, this is suppose to be Winter! C'mon, snow! Let's blanket the world, already!

I'm Still Here, Don't Worry!

Coughing Haiku 

 'Tis the Season for

sniffles and coughing and chills.

Pajamas and tea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a cold. This, especially during the busy Holiday Season, has made it very difficult for me to update my blog. But, I am feeling better and I will start updating regularly again this week! Hooray!

I Feel Languid

Hibernation Haiku

 Listless in Spirit,

restless apathy fills me.

General malaise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just last night I was noting how a lot of Fire Signs that I know seem to be in some sort of funk recently. I boldly claimed that I would not fall victim to this Astrologically inclined ennui, only to awake this morning to find my that mind is jumbled and my body wants to stay in bed.

People will want to immediately blame the weather, either forgetting or not knowing that I enjoy cold, dreary fall/winter days. It maybe that I've succumbed to a sort of empathetic funk - like "oh, all the Fire Signs around me are crashing, guess I'd better get bummed-out." I mean, being a Leo is pretty great and I can usually find - if nothing else - a distraction from bummy moods, but I wonder if something is going on is a Cosmic sense. Or, maybe it has nothing to do with Astrology and I just happen to know a lot of moody people regardless of their Sign?

Exhaustion

4 am Haiku 

 Unyielding pillow,

I await the rising sun.

Hope to catch some Z's.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I did not sleep so well last night. I sat awake, playing with Phoebe - my ferret. Hell, Phoebe fell asleep before I did! I think I'm anticipating tomorrow, which will be my first official day of work at the Zoo. I am extremely excited and it wouldn't surprise me if this was upsetting my sleep pattern.

Alternatively, some times I just don't sleep. It could be any number of things, or it could be absolutely nothing. Either way, I will be going to bed early tonight.

I Don't Care What You Say

Flurry Haiku 

 Corporeal cold -

glistens, even in the night.

Hearts become warmer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love the snow! If you've never made yourself a warm drink and walked in the snow at night, you are really missing out. This experience can only be improved by two factors: if you have a significant other to join you, and/or if you have a coal stove to stand in front of when you return from your walk.

People seem to have a lot of bad things to say about the snow, and they are allowed to have their opinions but I will always disagree. 

More Tea Poems!

Tea Time Haiku

 My Peppermint tea -

steaming mug under dense clouds.

Rejuvenating.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is actually the re-vamped version of one of the first Haiku I wrote. It makes a lot more sense now that I have edited it.

Despite my seemingly young age, I actually have the constitution of a 92-year-old. My joints are achy and my muscles are stiff this time of year. So, I drink a lot of healing tea. Peppermint is perfect for soothing without putting to sleep. It's invigorating, but comforting at the same time.

I promise my next poem will not be about tea.  

The Whether is Changing

Tasseomantic Haiku

 Ginger-lemon tea,

timeless and trusted cure-all.

Warms me through-and-through.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I may have made up the word "tasseomantic" but it sounds really good, so I'm just going to roll with it. Tasseomancy - more commonly called tasseography - is the art of divination through tea-leaves. This is a skill I have acquired, along with making up nice sounding words.

I've written about coffee a few times before, because I love coffee very very much. But I also have a not-so-secret love affair with tea. Tea, for some reason, is actually a lot easier to write poetry about than coffee. At least, I think it is. Could be a personal thing, though.

I have taken it upon myself to cut back on my alcohol consumption after many concerned glances and snide comments from various directions. I suppose it's best to nip any potential problem in the bud. Granted, a drink or two every night doesn't seem like much of a problem now, but I know that it could grow into one if not kept in check. Ginger-lemon tea has become my nightcap a few times a week because it is delicious and I was already drinking it, anyway.

Ginger can be used to aid in the treatment of almost any internal disorder. Its properties are numerous and mysterious. It also makes everything taste warm and inviting. If you need something to warm you, heal you, sooth you, and make you feel generally wonderful I recommend ginger tea.

 

Cozy Weather

Cumulonimbus Haiku  

 Lie here in my arms,

shelter from the chilling wind.

The world grows tired.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love this kind of gray, chilly weather. My cat was the inspiration for this poem. He does not like the wind very much, and as he is old he gets cold and wants to perch in someones lap for warmth. So yesterday - when it was particularly unpleasant weather for uneasy cats - he curled up in my lap as I enjoyed some hot coffee, and we stared out the window at the leaves chasing each other across the yard.

I felt so completely comfortable that it was almost humbling. I was grateful, too, though I can't specifically say for what I was grateful. Perhaps it was a moment of Yugen - a Japanese word expressing an awareness of the Universe that triggers an emotional response too deep and too powerful for words.

Of course, the blowing leaves soon became too exciting for the cat to resist and he had to jump in the window in an attempt to be closer to the action.

Halloween Post

Samhain Tanka

 Journey to within;

time to look beyond the Veil.

The Crone is calling.

What is past will now come forth

to search for a place to rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Samhain - pronounced "Sawain" because Gaelic makes no sense - is the fall celebration to remember ones ancestors, release what no longer serves you, and prepare to rest and heal during the Winter to rise again in the Spring. 

It is the time when the Veil between our world and the Other World - the Sídhe (pronounced "Shee" because, hey, Gaelic), the Realm of the Faeries/Fae - is the thinnest. It is referred to by some as the Witch's New Year.

Even Further Spooky Stuff

Banshee Haiku 

 

The herald's trumpet -

plangent in the dead of night -

sings of waning tides.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Ah the Banshee; one of those Celtic myths that followed over the seas to America. The word "Banshee" is rooted in the Gaelic term for the Fairy World - the  Sídhe (pronounced like "Shee"). One myth states that the Keening Women (basically professional mourners) of the Sídhe would begin singing their lament before the news of the death could even be shared, due to their clairvoyant powers.

Of course, since then the story has taken a much more sinister turn. The Banshee became a spectral woman whoes wailing became a sign of certain, violent death. Most instances have also occured near a hevily wooded area for some reason (more inherint fear of the unexplored?).

Perhaps the Banshee isn't exactly a ghost to fear. I mean, her song doesn't kill you directly - it only warns you that your death is impending. The Banshee's cry should be more of a disappointment to hear, if anything. Of course if you do hear a Banshee, you should first check the area for barn owls before you start inviting people to your up-coming funeral.

Further Spooky Stuff

Flying Head Haiku  

 Paralyzing sight;

gnashing teeth and wings of bat.

Bodiless hunger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, Iroquois people, this is just weird. The Flying Heads are great, human heads with no bodies. They fly through stormy nights on bat wings (that are placed where there ears should be). They have fiery, glowing eyes, and sharp teeth that lock like jail cells when closed.

I can't even talk about this one; it's just too bizarre for me.

More Monsters

Each Uisge Haiku    

Fit for any king,

yet I am not what I seem.

Ride to deadly depths.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This monster - specifically one individual beast rather than a type of beast - comes from Celtic folklore. Each Uisge was a water horse who could take the form of a magnificent steed. His speed could not be matched, nor could his strength. Warriors found this horse harder to resist that any weapon or woman they'd ever seen.

Once mounted, Each Uisge would race off at an insane rate to his home at the bottom of a lake. There, his rider would naturally drown hand he would devour them. Granted, he would begin to devour them whether or not they had finished drowning. 

And you thought it was safe to go back in the water after "JAWS"...

More Halloween Beasties

Hidebehind Haiku  

 Shadows are playing - 

no beasts stalking in these woods.

It is just the wind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Hidebehinds are an odd bit of American folklore - and they are down-right spine chilling to think about at three in the morning when you have to walk to the bathroom through a dark house. Like most American monsters, Hidebehinds were inspired by a fear of the unexplored Wilderness that loomed over the first settlers.

Whenever a lumberjack didn't come back to camp, this beast was to blame. Hidebehinds, as the name implies, would lurk just behind wanderers and hide whenever their prey turned to look at them. They had the ability to suck in their stomachs to become unbelievably thin so that they could duck behind the smallest tree if need be. When they finally got close enough, they would spirit their prey away to a den where they would feed exclusively on the entrails of the poor, lost human.

Try not to think about this next time you're walking alone and you feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise because you think someone is watching you.

Closer to Halloween

Black Shuck Tanka 

 

Breath hanging like mist,

unseen through the thick of night -

a silent harbinger.

Fearsome and unmistaken;

inevitable specter.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

To avoid any conflict, I refer to the End of Fall as Halloween - it's just easier. And as Halloween draws ever closer, I find myself drawn to reading about those beings that traverse the Veil regularly. One of my favorite of such beasts is Black Dogs. There is one Black Dog phenomenon in the British Isles that has been named "Black Shuck".

Black Dogs are omens of ill fortune - specifically death. Some legends specify that the number of barks heard from this behemoth specify the fate of the hearer, but in general seeing a Black Dog phantom is considered bad. 

They are commonly massive, reported to be the size of small cows covered in shaggy, black fur (duh). They have glowing eyes the size of saucers, and paws as big as plates. I don't feel the need to mention the teeth and claws that come along with this animal. Even if death weren't the message being brought, I would not feel lucky to meet this fellow on the moores at night.

Nothing for the Sake of Nothing

Saturday Haiku  

 Coffee shop weekend,

watching time and people pass.

No obligations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For those of you who didn't catch on, I wrote this yesterday. I actually had a lot of things that I could have been doing yesterday, but instead I sat outside of my favorite coffee shop with I book I've read before and did nothing.

One of my favorite hobbies is to do nothing. I don't think about what I could or should be doing, I focus on what I am doing - which is simply existing. And, surprisingly, people react to this. I suppose it's not a common thing to see someone enjoying doing real, true nothing. People made comments about what a lovely spot I had (a table in the sunshine with one chair for my feet), or on what a lovely day it was to relax with a book. The inviting aura I exude when simply existing is irresistible to people - and, I hope, contagious.

Unforgotten

Searching Haiku  

 Nothing goes unseen -

my vast eyes don't yet spot you.

Perhaps I'll sleep here?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Haiku is an excerpt from a Choka I wrote for a Writer's Guild project. I wasn't exactly happy with it, but I do like this Haiku.

It brings to mind the season of Fall and what it represents - letting go of what is no longer needed. I am hoping to achieve this so that I may enjoy a restful, healing Winter.

Thursdays in October

Ten Three Haiku 

 

Season of ending;

Delicious, deciduous,

prepare for new leaves.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Driving around for work today I felt a little grumpy. I hate driving and I hate being rushed. But then, on a back road, I saw a downpour of golden leaves falling into the road. I was reminded that this is my favorite season not only for the weather and foliage, but for the time of life it represents. This is the season to shed what's old and no longer serves us. We do this in preperation for the long Winter's rest that will heal and clean us for the coming of the Spring. 

I think I'll spend some time with my Tree this weekend.

Drowsy Monday

Drowsy Haiku 

 

Quilted, fluffy clouds

pulled over the Earth's cold ground,

inviting comfort.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Does everybody else feel like today is a perfect nap day? The weather is tepid, the shy is gray, and no work is getting done. I just want to curl up with a book that I don't intend to read and wait for my eyes to droop.

Maybe it's just a general feeling of "meh" due to it being Monday - especially a Monday after a busy weekend. I was fairly productive at work this morning, but as noon approaches I find my focus is waning. I'm not sure if it's me, my job, or this Monday atmosphere, but I really can't seem to get anything done. 

Sometimes Apple Cinnamon

Tasty Haiku 

 

Pumpkin flavoring

in all things consumable.

Yes, Autumn is here!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The definitive sign of the Fall season is that pumpkin flavoring gets added to everything. Not that I'm complaining! Pumpkin doughnuts are pretty damn yummy, though I must admit that I find pumpkin coffee to be just so-so.

Sometimes a bakery will throw you for a loop and offer apple cinnamon flavors in the Fall. Autumn is undoubtedly the most delicious time of year. Everything is delicious in the Fall - the foods, the drinks, the air, even the colors.

Blue Skies

Overcast Haiku  

 Blue clouds full of rain -

tear-drops slipping onto Earth.

The air does not lie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What a long, busy weekend I had! I had to work Saturday and today at an Sportsman's Expo, where almost nobody showed up. It was the first year for the event, though, and most people don't really enjoy this type of weather as much as I do. I did, however, manage to get a lot of studying done. I'm so close to my degree I can almost taste it. It tastes lie knowledge. 

Somebody has a campfire burning and it smells amazing.

Today is the Autumnal Equinox, so happy official Fall! Prepare for the following onslaught of leaf-related, cold weather poetry.

The nights will start getting longer, which always makes me feel more comfortable. I'm not sure why. I love the gray, overcast days, as well. There's just something so wonderful about the dark sky.

What is This

Unseasonable Warmth  

 One last cicada

lamenting the past nights frost,

as the leaves turn gold.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why is it in, like, the 70's in the middle of September? I literally just wrote a post about how awesome Fall is because the weather gets cooler. Not funny, climate. So not funny.

I suppose I can't really complain too much, though. I had a really pleasant, relaxing day sitting outside of my favorite coffee shop. I got a lot of studying done in the sunshine, but it just strikes me as odd that there wasn't even a chilly breeze nipping at me. It's fall - I want my brisk air!

I dislike when the seasons are out of whack.

Season's Falling

Autumnal Haiku

 

Orange leaves burst on trees,

the sky is a clear bright blue.

I awoke feeling cold.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Autumn is probably my favorite time of year. I love the colors, I love the air, I love smells, I love snuggling under blankets with a warm drink at night. I know that the leaves are just starting to tint themselves with red and gold, but I still feel that shiver that means that Fall is here!

I love Winter, too, but it's a little early to be talking about that. I'll stick to discussing Autumn so that all of you Winter haters don't start panicking. I'll give you a nice, warm tip: drink a nice, warm cocktail! I like a variation of Hot Buttered Rum that I made when I decided that butter and booze sounded disgusting. I called it Hot Pie Rum, but it's a working title.
It's simple to make. Just a splash of Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer, a shot of Spiced Rum, fill the glass with hot (hot!) water, then add nutmeg and cinnamon. Basically, it's exactly Hot Buttered Rum with Coffee Creamer instead of butter. Careful, though! When the steam hits your face, the Rum will invade your senses!
Expect plenty more poetry as the Season gets colder, my friends.



Inanimate Object Project

A suggestion was made to me that perhaps I should share my poems before my entries, so that my audience my interpret the poem for themselves before knowing why I wrote it. So, watch out! Here comes a new format!

Purple Climbing Shoes

The dust of the earth

coats my carapace and sole.

I will keep you safe.

---

I am the cradle -

what keeps you from the hard stone.

I am the carriage.

---

You walk without me,

but together we ascend.

Could I be your wings?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Choka was for a Wayne Writer's Guild assignment - to write from the perspective of an inanimate object. As you can probably gather from the title, I chose to write about my climbing shoes. I was surprised to find poetry in shoes, especially since I prefer to walk barefoot. But, they are extremely important to me - they allow me to do what I love. Without those shoes, I would not be able to reach the physical and emotion heights that have become essential to my happiness.
My shoes have saved me from falling countless times that I can recall, and I'm sure countless more than I even realize. I can climb barefooted, but I don't achieve much. I'm constantly jamming my toes into crevices and slamming my heels onto surfaces that would be unmanageable without my shoes. the give me protection, stiffness, and friction that my bare feet cannot offer me. If I like top-roping (with the harness and belays), I would climb barefoot more often. But I like to boulder - no equipment and much more diverse surfaces. 



Joys of a Dilettante

I've made it my goal to know as much about as many things as I can. I boast a wide range of interest, with moderate knowledge and/or skill in each. I'm not really a know-it-all, I'm more of a know-a-little-about-a-lot. Admittedly, I often come off as a know-it-all, but that is hard to avoid I think. And, truth be told, there is something very satisfying about being pedantic every now and then.
That being said, I must tell you that I despise learning. To learn something I have to be taught, and that takes all the fun out of the knowledge. I much prefer to find it out when there's something I want to know. That's why I hated college so much - no education took place. All I had to do was repeat what a professor said so that I could receive a number to prove that I remembered what the professor said. This is one of the reasons why I'm now getting my degree online, rather than through a traditional college.
There's just so much information in this world - and in worlds parallel to ours. I don't know how anyone can go through life without finding at least one wonderful thing a day.

Education Haiku 

 

Opening one's mind;

learning what was always known.

Stories of the Earth.



Withdraw

I haven't been climbing in such a long time! It's not that I have been neglecting my favorite sport - I simply have not been able to climb.
The first climbing block was - with the gym I use being on a college campus - that it closed for three weeks between semesters. And then, after it opened again, I was whisked away to the State Fair for work. On the last day of the Fair, I came down with a cold and have been resting since. But tonight I am free and I am feeling better; I will be climbing no matter what.

Climbing Haiku   

 

Achieving new heights -

problem solving in motion;

don't ever look down.

Maxwell

Maxwell is the name of my mini van. I grew up in Maxwell; he is the vehicle I learned to drive, and he is reliable (for the most part). When my first car, Franklin, broke down Maxwell became mine since my dad had bought himself a truck. Apparently, I am not such a scary driver behind the wheel of a mini van. People have witnessed me perform surgeon-precise parking jobs with big, rusty Maxwell.
I drove Maxwell a lot this weekend, having to commute to the State Fair in Syracuse (from Palmyra) for four days. He was also crammed full of 4H projects yesterday for the final trip. I am really happy with Maxwell; he didn't complain once!
A lot of credit is given to family pets, but what about family cars? Sure, they may be old junkers by the time we get them, but they get us where we're going throughout our whole life.

Maxwell's Haiku 

 

Both long and short trips;

room for what we need to bring.

Coming and going.

Prerecorded Message Two

Just a short anticdote today.
There is a dying florescent light above my desk. It flickers all day. Sometimes, I play techno music really loud and pretend that I'm at a Rave instead of in my cubicle. I should start bringing Glow-Sticks to the Office.

Desk Party Tanka 

Production will stop

while this beat bounces about;

few minutes of fun. 

These three walls can't contain me;

the deadlines will have to wait.



Prerecorded Message One

The next few posts will have been written the past. I'm prepping a few before I go off to the State Fair for a few nights and will be unable to post new content. It's like time travel, but it's not.
It occurred to me that not a lot of people know what the 4-H program is. Well, let me take this time to tell you. Let's start with the four H's themselves.
The four H's stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. There is a 4-H pledge, which goes: "I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living for my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World". Also, I recently learned that the 4-H clover is being plagiarized! To be an official, legal 4-H clover, the stem needs to be pointing to the right, and the serial code needs to be present.
The basic idea of 4-H is to teach youth applicable life skills through growing experiences while encouraging a sense of community.

4H Haiku 

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

Where could we go without them?

More than just four words. 

Busy Bee!

Get ready for an end of the month review! I will be at the State Fair when the month actually ends, so I'm updating live now and loading my blog-canon with some prepared poetry to update while I'm at the Fair.
August, why have you been so full?? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. It just seems that it should still be July, and here we are a week away from September.
It's the Fairs that have eaten up all of my time. First the Wayne County Fair, and now the NY State Fair. Things that aren't necessarily my responsibility are becoming my job because my "supervisor" (I use the term loosely) doesn't want to do them or forgot to do them. It's not that I can't do these things, it's just they way they were put in my lap without warning that gets to me. Oh well.
I am now contributing to a friend's blog. http://magickculture.blogspot.com/. It's a fun project, and hopefully we can make it grow. Scratch that; we are on our way to making it grow into a lovely, informative blog for a wide diversity of people to enjoy!
I seem to have emailed myself at my work email address with a picture of a recent Oracle Card spread of mine. I'm trying to decide why I emaild this to myself. I wrote about this particular spread, but why did I send a picture of it to my work email? Sometimes I baffle myself.
I'm over half way through getting my degree, which is very exciting for me. I will soon be a T.E. Wildlife Manager (for those of you who haven't read the Continued Adventures in Oz, "T.E." stands for "Thoroughly Educated").
Over all, I am prepared for the transition into Fall.

 

End of Summer Haiku 

 

Rain becomes cooler,

sunshine doesn't stay as warm.

The leaves will soon change.

Coffee Time

I love drinking coffee. It's not even so much the caffeine, but I love the taste. I like my coffee black, or with cream, or with cream and sugar, or with a flavor. At work, I usually drink it black - I like my coffee black, just like my metal. This week, though, we have leftover creamers from the County Fair that I've been using. And, oh, what creamers they are! Almond Joy, and vanilla, and York Peppermint Patty flavors! They are too tastey not to use.
Coffee its self is actually pretty good for you. Not only does it aid in one's ability to focus and retain information, it also kick starts the metabolism. It's when we add a cup of steamed milk and three packets of sugar that coffee becomes bad for us. Of course, in excess, anything is bad for you. I'm sure everyone is aware of what happens to the body after too much coffee. I've limited myself to two cups a day; one in the morning, and another one in the afternoon/evening if I want it. There's just something so comfortable about having a nice hot cup of coffee.

Coffee Tanka

 

Boiling and black,

as though brewed in a culdron;

steam floats to the Sun.

This bitter taste calms my mind;

this darkness makes me feel bright.

Round Twenty-Three

Well, I'm done with one event at work, and now I have a week to prepare for the next event. No rest for the wicked or the county employees, I suppose. However, the County Fair is over! Celebrate the small things, I always say!
Unfortunately, there is no coffee in the office this morning. I had to pry open my wallet and get a cup from Dunkin' Donuts. If fancy coffee is the worst thing to happen to me today, though, I will not complain.
Yesterday was my Birthday (woo!), so I have a whole slew of new clothes to make me feel pretty this week. I know it's a feminine stereotype, but wearing new clothes really does make me feel good. I don't put very much stock into my appearance, but I do believe in dressing appropriately. Having said that, I must now say that catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and seeing that I look nice puts a smile on my face. I don't think it's vain, and I don't care even if it is vain. I am a Leo, after all.

Leo Moon Haiku 

 

Yawning lazily,

single cloud stretching across.

Rise as the Sun sets. 

I Feel Your Pain . . .

Physical Empathy is the term for an ability that I possess. I absorb the pain of those emotionally close to me, and sometimes the pain of those who are particularly open spiritually. If you fall into one of these categories, I will know if you have a headache because my head will start to throb.
I also possess Emotional Empathy abilities, but the emotions need to be strong. Like when everyone in my office is stressed out, I will absorb it all and become even more stressed.
This is why I don't like violent movies - I have actually vomited while watching a gory film.
I also prefer to not be in crowds.
I am currently living with my parents. My mother has a bad vertebrate and my father has a slipped rotator cuff.  Guess who gets frequent back and shoulder pain? Admittedly, I do have some of my own back problems - more accurately, hip problems related to my knees. A big problem that I have is separating what pain is mine and what pain belongs to other people. Then, once I sort it out, I don't know how to let go of what isn't mine.
It is helpful to feel another persons aches if I am doing hands-on healing, but I otherwise don't want to feel their stomach cramps. Getting rid of emotional pain that doesn't belong to me is even worse.
It's not something I want to block out. I just want to know what is mine and how to let go of what isn't. I want to be an active Empath, not a passive Empath.

Empathetic Haiku  

Eyes tell a story,

though your heart speaks louder still.

I will always hear.

Going Batty

I know the title might seem like I'm going to moan about my stress levels, but no; I mean literal bats. I love 'em!
That's right, I love bats. I think they're cute, they're helpful, and we need to appreciate them more. And I'd like to point out right up front that only about 10% of reported rabies cases in the United States are caused by bats. Raccoons are the more likely culprit, if you were wondering.
Also, bats are not rodents. Just so you know, bats are not rodents. Did you know that bats are not rodents? Hope you get my point - my point is that bats are not rodents.
If you've got a bat house around your home, chances are you don't have a lot of mosquitoes around your home. Ah-ha! A direct, relevant example of why bats are awesome! Bats eat all those little bugs that bite, swarm, and get in ones face. Thank you, bats, for making my backyard significantly less annoying.
Another fact - though not so relevant in the United States - is that their scat is really useful for pottery and building. In the U.S., however, it is home to a fungus that is killing them.
If you remove one element from an ecosystem, the entire system fails. You may not like bats as much as I do, but at least respect them as an important part of nature.

Haiku for Bats  

 Flutter in the dusk;

tell me, friend, what I don't know.

Your sight is stronger.

Shooting Stars

Just a short post before the meteor shower tonight!
Whenever I watch a meteor shower, I have a strange experience. I can hear the meteors.
This probably sounds like something I'm making up, and maybe it is just an overactive imagination, but I really do hear the meteors. They sound like if wind chimes and a slide whistle had a baby. That's honestly the best I can describe it. Maybe I'm just subconsciously romanticizing the situation?
I also hear snow falling, but other people have confirmed that they hear it, too. Only when I talk about the sound of shooting stars do people look at me like I'm crazy.
I always look forward to the Perseid Meteor Shower. I think that it might be because it always occurs the week before my birthday, though.

Music of the Stars Haiku  

 Symphonic Cosmos;

unheard sounds burst into light.

Can the Heavens weep?

Red Birds

My Grandma Gardner and I had an inside joke about cardinals. She remembered this, even after several strokes. She could no longer recognize who I was, but the link between me and cardinals remained. The last time that I saw her before her departure of this world, she looked at me and said "you like red birds, don't you?"
I often visit my Grandma Gardner in dreams. It wasn't until recently that I realized she has been visiting me here for some time. I was thinking about totem animals (as I often do) while driving in my van, going about 10 mph over the speed limit. Suddenly, a cardinal flew into the road in front of me, and I slowed down for fear of hitting it. It was nothing unusual - cardinals always fly out in front of my van. Then, it dawned on me. Cardinals always fly out in front of my van specifically when I'm driving way to fast.
Sorry, Grandma G; I didn't mean to make you worry. I'll stop speeding.

Red Bird Haiku  

 Wings like candied fruit

guide me safely down the road.

Singing songs of home.

Dark Moon

A lot of people refer to the Dark Moon as the New Moon. This is a common misconception - how can something be new if it has not yet begun? I don't go around correcting people, but I do my best to refer to it correctly and to be ready with an explanation for those who ask. When the Moon is cloaked, this is the Dark Moon. The first Waxing Crescent after the Dark Moon is the New Moon. I suppose it doesn't really make a difference - these are only Human titles - but for my purposes, I wanted to explain what I meant when referring to the Dark moon.
I love the energy of the Dark Moon. I was told years ago that the Dark Moon is not time for Magik. I now do not necessarily believe this to be true. I use it as a time of preparation and recovery of energy. I also use it as a time of study and appreciation. The Dark Moon is my time to refresh and rejuvenate all aspects of my being and spirit.
It is associated with the Crone who, in turn, is associated with wisdom. It is not a time to be afraid, but a time to put faith in the Moon's power and trust that it still shines on us though we can't see it. It is when what is done can be ended, and what has yet to be can begin.

Dark Moon Haiku  

    Pearl-studded blue gown,

made even more radient

by the Moon's non-light.

My Hands

Being that I'm a barefoot-er, I give my feet a lot of attention, and a lot of credit. I would like to take this evening, however, to talk about my hands.
As I've been rock climbing, I've become more and more aware of my hands. My hands are strong, my hands are unafraid, my hands don't judge. Conversely, my hands don't always do, and sometimes they do without being told. I treat them rough, but they are always gentle to me. Sometimes they act on their own, but they always work with me.
My joints often hurt, and my hands are the biggest culprits. They become sore, swollen, and tired fairly often. I recently (within the past few days) started meditating with my hands by immersing them in rice for various Tia Chi exercises. While I do this, I repeat affirmations with each position. Originally I was just doing it to improve my climbing, but after only a few day, I found it healed me in other ways. My beliefs in reflexology reflect that - being the main importers/exporters of Qi - our hands and feet can be viewed as miniature models of our whole body. When I plunge my hand into that rice, by channeling my vibrations to my hand I am really plunging my whole body into the rice to be stretched, contracted, massaged, and energized.
I know my feet, but now I am meeting my hands. Maybe the best way to come to love my body is exactly like this; one piece at a time.

  Haiku Meditation for my Hands  

 My hands are my own.

They will no longer pain me.

They grip and open.

Interpritation Required

I dreamed that I was a giant living in a meadow. I was the owner of a sword that everybody wanted to borrow. But no matter what reason they gave me for wanting to use my sword, I always adjudicated to deny their request. This made me sad.
I woke up with that numb, tingly feeling that is usually associated with poor circulation.

Giant's Haiku  

  I watch them approach;

my heart drops, heavy with doubt.

Will none have a cause?

Well, Here We Are

I have started and re-started this post about four times in the last half-hour. I'm just not sure what to write about today! I have several topics on my burners, but I can't seem to expand on any of them. I also can't decide what type of music I want to listen to this morning.
Maybe I need more coffee. Or less coffee.
A part of my job is to set up and run the Wayne County Fair. The woman who I would normally do this with is pregnant, and just called this morning to inform us that the doctors are taking her out of work immediately rather than a week and a half from now. This means that we are now flying solo with only about a week until the fair. All of the big projects are done; now it's all the annoying little things that one doesn't think about until it's a week away from the fair.
How am I supposed be in charge of a whole county's worth of volunteers if I can't even decide what music to listen to in the morning?

Summer Storm Tanka 

 

In the rain and wind

one can smell the ozone layer;

sweet breath of the sky.

Lightning burns away the old,

thunder heralds what is new.

Stinky Ferret Love

Since I was about six years old, I've wanted a ferret. Three or so Summers ago, I went ahead and got one. Phoebe. She is my pride and joy. Coworkers talk about their kids, I talk about my ferret. I used to make fun of people who called their pets their "fur-kids", but now that I have been a ferret-mom I totally get it.
I won't sugar coat it; she is a lot of work. As many may know, ferrets are stereotypically stinky. This is because they are of the mustellid family (weasels, otters, skunks, etc.). Mustellids all have an oder gland as a natural defence. Domestic ferrets can generally be "de-scented", but they are biologically built to stink. There's a lot one can do to keep their ferret smelling fresh, however. The easiest, most effective solution is to switch their diet to chicken based kitten chow; just be sure to compare the nutrition facts:
Protein*: at least 40%
Fat: 20% (no more than 30%)
Fiber: less than 3%
*Ferrets are STRICT carnivores; make sure that this is animal-based protein!
Anyway, switching to chicken-based food is an effective oder fighter because most ferret chow is fish based. As you might guess, fish is pretty stinky and can promote an unpleasant smell.
There are also pleanty of vitamin drops, treats, and even ferret-specific sprays that you can use regularly on the animal, cage, and toys/bed. I also try to clean Phoebe's litter pan regularly. Always always always litter train a ferret! I bathe her about every three weeks, since bathing a ferret too much can cause hair loss. There are ferret shampoos, but I just use baby shampoo. Some ferrets love baths; Phoebe does not, but she is okay with a shower.
This will very likely not be my last post dedicated to my little ferret, but I hope that this has been an educational experience.

 

Phoebe Haiku 

 

Warm and wiggley,

tiny hunter sleeps all day.

Affectionate beast.

Still Alive!

I'm here! I promise I haven't forgotten you!
I have been the busiest of beavers lately, and there is no end in site. It's a disparaging feeling, having a tired brain before the real work has even begun. I give you my word that I will make a true attempt to post more regularly. Before I attempt to rest under Monday's impending arrival, I will leave you with this melancholy little update.

Solitary Haiku  

 I glance up and ask

"is this the same moon you see?";

I'll have one more drink.

Chaos and the Universe

Today at Service, we had a guest speaker come in and talk about the Law of Attraction. One of my favorite Laws, and the one I have the most trouble with.
I love it because it's so easily proven; I have trouble with it because I too often use my Vibrations for others and find myself getting the short end of every stick. I never seen to have enough left over for myself, but I always seem to find plenty to give. This, I find, is a common problem. Maybe it's because it's not actually a problem? Perhaps we spend all our energy on others because we are not meant to heal ourselves, but to find someone else to spend their energy on us?
That would be the nature of Chaos, wouldn't it? One cannot harness it, but can only work with it. Chaos can be influenced, but never changed. Lets have three cheers for dichotomies!

Sparkly Tanka 

 Let it be lit up -

the twinkle we cannot see;

the brightness we feel.

Invite electricity;

razzle-dazzle when we hug.

Wild Womanhood

UPDATE: Some one is at my office building to fix the AC, and he is my new hero. Seriously, I'm about ready to marry this guy.
As I prepare for some car camping with friends this weekend (which will be so luxurious in my mini van), I can't help but think about Wild Woman philosophies. I am inherently drawn to the aspects of Wild Womanhood, but there are a few things standing in my way of achieving it. For one thing, I am self conscious about my physical body. I exercises it constantly, but there are certain things about it that cannot be changed. My body consciousness is psychological, and irrational, and not my fault. It's not vanity that's my problem, I promise. Once I learn to accept my body and exist outside of it, I will be on my way to Wild Womanhood!
Wild Womanhood is one of those Tao concepts that I love so much, but it essentially means being free to exist as you are simply because you do. Something we all want, and maybe some of us have it, but another concept needs to be set into motion to achieve this state: Harmony. To be truly Wild you need to live in Harmony. One needs to exist Harmoniously with themselves, others, Nature, technology, Past, Present, Future, and all the Chaotic Vibrations. It sounds arduous, but I bet it's not. I think it's one of those great "ah-ha" moment. This path probably doesn't have stepping stones; Wild Womanhood is more like a river than a path. Eventually I'll leap off that waterfall at the end.

Moving River Haiku

 

Shiver in the rush;

flowing regardless of me.

The water is cold. 

 

 

 



Overheat

I don't know if I'm just too delicate, but I can over heat instantly. If I take a shower that's too hot, I'll get a fever. My core temperature is actually about half a degree higher than what is common, so needless to say Summer and I don't always get along.
That already being an established fact, the AC in my office has been broken for the past week. I come home nauseous every day, but as soon as I sit in some cool air and drink another bottle of water (in addition to the four or five I already drink daily) I'm fine again. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but it is truly ridiculous.
On the other hand, Summer is the time for drinks on the beach, camping with friends, and not wearing a lot of clothing. I'm a night person - a nyctophile if you will - and I find Summer nights to be particularly energizing. Maybe it's the wonder of the fireflies, maybe it's the fact that I can let my bare skin touch the Earth without freezing, but there is just a different magik to Summer nights. I can absolutely feel like a child again when I'm under the moonlight and it's 75 degrees.
Okay, Summer; we can still hang out.

Summer Heat Tanka     

 

Swirling in the air;

wet and burning all at once.

Find in the darkness

a firm hug from an old friend

long forgotten in the Sun.

Lights, Camera, Poetry

For those of you who keep up-to-date with my posts, you will know that I have been struggling with a topic piece - the topic being movies.
Well, I'm happy to report that I did it. I finally sat down and wrote a Haiku about movies. Inspired by the fact that I prefer theater, I wrote about the fourth wall. I hate that damned fourth wall! Break down the fourth wall, I say. But, people are uncomfortable with nothing between them and the story. Very few of us actually enjoy audience interaction at shows, and fewer actually understand the reason for it. When we go to a theater (movie or otherwise) we are looking to disengage, not engage in the story.
We all build our own fourth wall.

 

Theater Haiku

 

Story in a box;

suspension of disbelief.

Welcome to the show.

Losing Time

Oh my goodness, tomorrow night is my Writer's Guild meeting and I've hardly even thought about the assignment! I've had two weeks to write it, and yet I didn't write a thing relating to the topic. Did i lose track of time? Was I just too busy? Too tired? Uninspired?
Before I get too deep into rhyming, I'll fill you in. The topic for this week's meeting is movies. An interesting topic to write Haiku on, indeed. I'm not even sure which direction to go in; Haiku, Tanka, Choka? Do I write about a favorite movie? Going to see a movie? Do I even bother with the topic, or do I just read something else I've written?
Between work, climbing, and other various appointments, I feel as though I have been stretched rather thinly. Then again, I have had plenty of down-time. There were days when all I did was sit on the couch, have a beer, and play Pokemon. So what's my excuse? Whenever I get a chance to sit and think, I don't feel like thinking about the writing topic. Maybe I just can't get a handle on writing about movies. It seems awkward in my mind, so maybe I'm ignoring it.
Instead, here's a weird little Haiku about why I love clocks because they are essentially devices to keep track of themselves

 

Time/Watches Haiku

 

Time is defined as

change within a moment, so

clocks measure themselves.

My Brain Tricked Me

Do you ever dream that you've woken up and started your day? It throws you off, right? Well, today I dreamed that it was the end of a long, full day and I was getting ready for a good night's sleep. And then my alarm rang. Lame! My brain is groggy to say the least.
Seeing as how there's only three people - including myself - in the office today, I am occupying my time with busy work. Papers, editing, reviewing emails, etc. I also have my music playing significantly louder, which is a plus. A big part of my job is planning activities for an up-coming day camp, so I'm off to Outdoor Recreation Textbook Land! Where I finally get some use out of my time spent at SUNY Cortland! Hooray! And here, I will put in another plug for "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature", the best outdoor education resource book I have ever used.
I wonder if I look busy enough?

Daydreaming Haiku

 

Eyes kept on blank page,

this fluorescent world drifts by.

My mind is with birds.

 



Story Tellers and Faith Keepers

Since I was little, I've always admired Story Tellers and knew that I wanted to be one. I've been a part of many acting troupes and public speaking clubs throughout my life, and now that I'm coming into my role as an Outdoor Educator, I feel it is time to tie up those ends.
As a Druid(ess), I take it upon myself to play the role of Faith Keeper. Faith Keepers and Story Tellers can be one-and-the-same, and this is the type of person I want to be. Not just religious faith, but faith in Nature. Maybe those are one-and-the-same, as well?
As you know, I have been writing for many years; half my life, in fact. I know how to create stories, but now I want to relate them. If anyone has any resources to help me in my Story Telling journey, I would appreciate the assistance!

Story Teller

 

Weaving the dream-scape

of those things that came to be,

where Then and Now blend.

Thank You, Super Moon!

Ah, Super Moon. I loved the Super Moon. It was pretty much just awesome for me. Again, I will use the concept of Tao and not attempt to find words for how lovely and migikal the Super Moon was. I'm also typing this at work, so I need to be brief and discreet.
It gave a lot of things to a lot of people, and came at just the right time for me. I needed an energy pick-me-up in this time of personal transition.

 

Super Moon Haiku

 

Bringing Dawn to Dusk,

swollen with bright, joyous beams.

Harder not to dance.



Summer and the Super Moon

Wow, what a busy, beautiful, emotional weekend!
First, it was the Summer Solstice, which means that it is officially time for some summer cocktails at this lady's house. To go along with all that sunny power, the Super Moon also occurred this weekend. To be honest, I enjoyed the Super Moon way more than the Solstice - I do not do well in the heat. Even today I had a horrid migraine from the hot, humid weather. Alas, there's nothing I can do to change it, so I can only do my best to embrace it.
Condolences were share today at the church I attend, as a baby boy aged 2 months entered into eternity. I wish I had better, sweeter, more comforting words to give.
I composed this Choka in Puerto Rico, where I experienced an absolute Summery moment. It was not written on the Solstice, but it refers to the entrance of Summer nicely. Super Moon poetry to come!

The Setting Solstice

 

Seen through dark glasses -

night time on the Horizon.

Still hot underfoot.

Cup raised to the sky;

wine as pale as the hot moon.

I’ll drink to her smile.

Slice of lemon for

the cocktail of the Ocean.

Salty sweet slumber.

Head Meets Desk

I've always suspected, but today I officially know that I cannot think inside. Brushing up on outdoor education techniques is making me antsy to go practice said techniques. You know, outdoors. Where it's clean and sunny and open.
It's also making me miss Marcia Carlson, who was my mentor of sorts for a short time before her passing (if you knew who she was, you would be very impressed). No matter what new methods or research I read about, I always refer back to the books she gave me from her personal library (again, impressive). My head just feels clouded, and I need someone to help me get back to the roots of outdoor ed. I can't help but think "if only I had more experience" or "will the kids understand this" or even wonder if I'm getting too off-track with my lesson plans.
I just feel like I need to sit under my Tree for a while and let my feet get muddy.
I was worried that I might be losing my passion for connecting with nature, but maybe I'm too passionate. I know what I'm supposed to be doing, what the youths should be learning, but I want so badly for everyone to be as excited about the outdoors as I am that I'm forgetting the point entirely. Or maybe I'm just drained from sitting at this desk all day.

 

Distant Birdsongs

 

Just past the window

I hear their sweet hearts calling,

muffled by the glass.

Active Peace (in the OutDoors)

If there's one thing I've learned, it is that Peace is not natural. Chaos is natural; Peace is about accepting the Chaos and being/molding yourself to conform to your personal Chaos. This doesn't make much sense, but that's because the Peace I'm discussing is an ideal not to be defined by words.
In the essence of time and being not confusing, I'll simply describe it a Tao. Those of you familiar with Zen practices should recognize this term; Tao is to be obtained, but not necessarily understood (kinda, sorta).
To apply this ideal to Nature - which I do - some deep re-understanding is required. First, we all need to remember that we're animals. Humans are just big-brained animals. We NEED to be outside. Don't get me wrong, I like to watch movies and play video games as much as the next person, but not being outside is detrimental to humans.
There's a term: Nature Deficit Disorder. A lot of people think it's bull, but it suggest that behavioral and cognitive problems in youths can be linked to the amount of time spent indoors vs. outdoors. Based on my own experiences as a person with severe ADD and manic depression, I know that at least and hour of outdoor time is more important to my stability than my cup of morning coffee. But you can read more on that by yourselves. Anything by Richard Louv (the man who coined the phrase), especially his book "Last Child in the Woods", or my personal favorite (especially for getting in touch with the Tao of Nature) "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature". I'd force the latter upon camp counselors - there's a whole section of nature connection games at the end that are stupendously fun!
http://www.plt.org/why-environmental-education-is-important

 

Natural Student

 

Lessons never taught

are always the ones best learned.

Listen to what's there.





When the Moon Hits Your Eye . . .

Most of my poetry is about the Moon. I am mesmerized by it. I even have the phases tattooed around my ankle!

I just love its energy and mystery. I'm trying not to make this sound too "new-age-y", but I really do have a fascination with the Moon. I could, theoretically, talk endlessly about it.

I am, in fact, compiling a book of Haiku strictly about the Moon. More on that as it develops, though. The following poem will be included, of course.



 

 

Lunar Spring Storm

 

Clouds drift across you

smile in the pin-prick starlight;

you blush through the storm.

fathers day

excuse the lack of grammar, im typing this on my cell phone.
my dad is pretty important to me. im a smaller, female version of him. hes is where i get my sense of humor, my love of literature, and my understanding of why people dont understand.
to celebrate today, we went to a local baseball game. the home team won and i had lots of beer. which could also explain my lack of grammar . . .

to my father

two peas in a pod,

keep me grounded yet raised up.

love without delay.

A Time to be Outside

I love doing everything outside! I studied Outdoor Recreation/Education, and I'm now studying Wildlife Management. I am outdoors-y to the MAX! But what I truly love is the ethereal part of the Wilderness.
We all feel that mystic tug when looking at a beautiful landscape, a sun rise/set, the stars, etc. . . but we need to take more time to appreciate it. There's an activity that I love called "Adopt-A-Tree", and I'm going to ask you to do it now.
Go outside, find a tree, and hug it. Give it a name, describe it, and tell it about yourself. Be sure to talk to your tree every day! Your tree may be shy at first, but give it some time; trees have a way of knowing just what to say.

  To My Tree

The Wheel does not stop,

so I always turn to ash.

 Enduring; smiling. 

Rocking

I love rock climbing. It's the one sport that makes me feel like I accomplish something! It is also pretty moving on a spiritual level - though, anything where one comes into such close contact with the Earth usually is.
I will usually climb at every chance I get, including family vacations. I wrote this Tanka while I was in Puerto Rico climbing limestone in the rain forest. There were these towering rock faces, some of which would just chip off in your hand. They were never meant to be climbed, but they begged to be.

Rock Climbing Tanka

Laying hands on the

scales of the oldest Dragon.

I offer myself;

my body is of the Air,

my mind becomes of the Earth. 

New (Adult) Job

I started my first big-girl job today! It was a long meeting proceeded by playing with legos. Apparently, you can plug legos into the computer to teach kinds about robotics. *shrug* I just played with legos.
This job is really perfect for me; it's what I went to school for initially, and also utilizes a bunch of certifications that I have.
It was pouring all day, which pleased me. I love the rain! To me, it symbolizes cleansing, so what better way to start my first day of a new job! I wrote this one spur of the moment on another rainy day, just a few days before my best friend's wedding.

Rainy Haiku

Thunder rumbling

with the drumming of changes.

Rain brings something new.  

Horror Project

The Writer's Guild I attend uses topics to stimulate the creative flow. This weeks topic was horror, which I was fairly excited about. I love horror movies, but being that I am highly sensitive and unable to watch overly violent images, I much prefer the psychological aspect to horror. Ghosts, possessions, and monsters are more my speed than the gore and torture that seems to populate the movie screens these days.
I wanted to write something that was along the lines of the classic, macabre fairy tales of yore, but I also was aware that I needed it to be shocking to be affective. Also, since I write in Haiku, I only had 17 syllables to paint this picture. I chose to compose a Choka to give myself a little more room to horrify *insert evil laughter*.

Little Red

Hidden in the dark

keep your eyes shut good and tight,

for the time has come.

Past sins and virtues
matter not to hunger’s choice,
as long as it’s red.

Clouds rumbling in;
heart and soul turn into rock,
flesh and bone aside.

Listen to the sound,
the greedy gulps of feasting
grinding in my ears.

No heart left to beat;
if I scream will it all stop?
The air reeks of blood.

What can keep me safe?
The anticipation aches.
Silence is the worst.

The Fire Walk

I suppose it's only appropriate to dedicate my first post to the event that mad me realize that it is time to move forward with my poetry: my recent Fire Walk. It empowered me by giving me the knowledge that I already have everything I need within me.
The Arrow Breaking ceremony before hand truly affected me the most. The tip of an arrow was placed on the soft spot of my throat, and as my companions shouted the object of my journey (clarity), I stepped forward with great power and snapped the obstructing arrow in half. We then moved onto the actual Fire Walk, where I realized that the clarity I so sought after was within my grasp. I thought there would be some trick to walking over live coals, but there's not; you just walk. In life, there's no secret to getting to where you want to be; you just have to go ahead. So, without further ado . . .

 Fire Walk Haiku

Snap the old arrow;

learn the secrets of the coals.

It's never too late.