On a weekly basis, a well-respected haiku artist has proposed a-season word, the clue in each haiku that identifies which of the four seasons the lines are set in. I have enjoyed participating in this playful Facebook activity, being both stimulated by the challenge and delighted by the work of fellow writers.
The results of the challenge, from which I finally selected my own entries are posted here, the most recent first.
36.
The Final Challenge Word: frog
frogs watch for herons
herons on the watch for frogs--
a careless fly lands
amazed at their sound
a trilling chorus of frogs--
the all-boys school choir
pond-frogs jump right in
grass-frogs leap through the long grass
Rome—I’m a tourist
what pleases the frog
and what pleases the heron--
filing tax returns
a frog in the rain
he can't get any wetter--
here's my credit card
35.
The Challenge Word: cherry blossoms
oy cherry blossoms--
all year we hear about them
who can be bothered?
these cherry blossoms--
there were real cherry blossoms
when I was a kid
petals on the wind--
places I don’t even know
a cherry blossoms
so cherry blossoms
cherry blossoms is that all
you think about—sex?
lying on a bed
of cherry blossoms I feel
me being covered
waves of pink and white
combing over the landscaping
and drowning me too
mixing pink and green
upstart crabapples crowd out
pure cherry blossoms
in a petal—storm
of cherry-blossom there comes
this sense of our loss
34.
The Challenge Word: kite
a key on the string
of a rag- tail kite unlocks
lightning to the earth
tugging its bridle
string two sticks paper and glue--
diamond in the sky
doing a leaf- roll
into the lost horizon
when the kite's string breaks
the third time this week
he gathers coins together
to buy a new kite
building a box kite
the instructions blow away--
a boy named Euclid
33.
The Challenge Word: tulips
filling the cat’s grave--
an embarrassing tear drops
in with the tulips
it did not take much
to bring tulips in focus
a touch of the thumb
with tulips in bloom
though I take off my glasses
I can't shut eyes
the cat finally died
the computer's on the fritz--
rain on the tulips
32.
The Challenge Words: spring breeze
snatching every chance
March wind envied me my hat--
spring’s breeze is nicer
she reduces him
destroying wind to spring breeze
with a pouted lip
the spring breeze pulls off
her hat coat gloves and sweater
and last her glasses
rhododendron buds
swollen from winter's pinched airs
in spring's sudden breeze
falcon on spring's breeze
wheels with a cry and plummets--
a falling angel
birches in the wind--
high heels in the bus shelter
poised for spring's breezes
done shaking its mane
March blows out on a spring breeze
sky clear a full sail
31.
The Challenge Word: puddle
the cat melted fast
in a puddle of sunlight--
wind in the window
a puddle of tears
adds some salt to the river
that broke down the dam
a river of tears
winds through many puddles left
after the great storm
a squalid puddle
but heaven to sex-mad frogs--
they’re so young really
slashing through puddles
the evening of a dark night
one head-light goes dead
puddled on the earth
the moon reflects on itself
straight up toward the stars
a one-tad puddle
several frogs short of a pond
but he calls it home
30.
The Challenge Word: crocus
peepers in the pond
and the sound of the crocus
is heard on our land*
*much thanks to the Song of Solomon
the squirrel watched--
of one hundred mixed crocus
he left the yellow
raising in the air
great clumps of soil and mulch--
slender crocus leaves
from trees birds tweet us
through windows house flies buzz us
Spring—pond-frogs croak us
grey days wear me down
what with the firewood near gone--
saved by a crocus
winter solstice snow
brought in the house in a bowl
of dormant crocus
he lost a penny
in a puddle turned to muddle
with a stick
frost whitens the lawn
breaking all spring’s promises--
backsliding one drink
29.
The Challenge Words: waiting for spring
resisting the spring
that last frozen chunk of snow--
marriage counseling
splashes of blackbirds
poke in the mud for pale shoots
not waiting for spring
waiting for the thaw
geese look at our frozen pond
as if it were home
turtles on a log
most of the pond still frozen--
daylight-savings time
wait for the peepers--
about the thawing swamp hangs
the smell of childbirth
bull-rushing summer
clouds sharpen their cutlery
not waiting for spring
28.
The Challenge Words: spring snow
indignant robins
between patches of spring snow
pierced by daffodils
this tangle of weeds
beautiful for its first time
outlined in spring snow
scrubbed souls exit church
into silence and spring snow
not touching the ground
a heart and arrow
throwing heat for all to feel
in unblemished snow
27.
The Challenge Words: wood fire
logs as old as me
reduced to a pile of ash
and one glowing coal
from the forest fire
smoke settles in the resort
his cigarette cough
26.
The Challenge Words: snow shovel
“There’s no shovels like
coal shovels, there’s no shovels
my eye,” Frosty sings
heels up handle first
riding the snow shovel down
embarrassing the grands
door-to-door knocking
they brought their own snow shovel--
hide the snow-blower
the grand-children fight
there’s only one show shovel--
four fingers of snow
hat coat boots mittens
one carrot two lumps of coal
and a snow shovel
skating in circles
behind a slow snow shovel
so others may pass
Snow Shovel Polka
a tune the band doesn’t know--
everyone else does
he lurks by the mail box
leaning on a snow shovel
toothless old geezer
digital heroes
dream digital snow shovels
in the lap-top’s sleep
in the hardware store
they trade covetous glances--
the last snow shovel
I’ve made a big pile
of little thing that don’t last
with my snow shovel
25.
The Challenge Word: Valentine
be my Valentine
today—starting tomorrow
be mine forever
a wink and a nod
enough to make every day
St. Valentine’s Day
no doily-cut card--
chubby hands with thick crayons
made this Valentine
construction paper
shaped like your lop-sided heart--
my best Valentine
24.
(Tanka)
before this chamber
how Valentines are issued--
in strict confidence
as minority reports
and stamped For Your Eyes Only
23.
The Challenge Words: frozen lake/pond/stream.
icicles struck stiff
a frozen pond in a leaf
the air bears no scent
from the clogged gutter
streams of snow-melt caught by night
freeze to icicles
icicles
frozen streams
this afternoon’s drips struck stiff
on the frozen lake
icicle nose to the wind
snowman sniffs for spring
a beaded curtain
made by day’s dripping gutters
evenings icicles
no more icicles
his stream of breath now frozen
to deck his moustache
now a frozen lake
of blood is all binding him
to his place on earth
ice feathers and fronds
grow over the freezing pond
and its silent frogs
he pulls up his hood
to protect him from the wind
off the frozen lake
she breaks glass ceilings
the un-frozen pools beneath
seeped away by noon
wild ducks turn away
on wings that beat through the night
from the frozen pond
.
on the frozen lake
the snowman’s icicle nose
is first to sniff spring
22.
The Challenge Words: first snow
the pup baulks and barks
afraid to walk on white cold--
his first snow tonight
in the Christmas wreath
a wren hides from the first snow
till carolers come
last spring's fawn's first snow--
she runs behind her mother
only three herself
without a first snow
the season can't get started--
without their first kiss...
the first snowman waits
the first day off school not come
the first snow not dropped
sheltered from first snow--
the church doors are set well back
and never disturbed
when he first arrived
he was given summer clothes
and now the first snow
while refugees wait
first snow swirls around the fire
they all poke with sticks
first snow weights the tent
made for heat and summer days--
refugees grow old
camellia buds caught
half-open by the first snow--
doing lines downstairs
cops track the kid down
by footprints in the first snow
and Tazer him dead
tossed on the front seat
after taking him away--
a cold night first snow
huddling for warmth
nobody missed the meeting
despite this first snow
21.
The Challenge Words: long night
birthing a first child
now I understand long nights
first snow a new start
mid-winter and cold
though it’s a long night—from here
it only improves
20.
The Challenge Words: autumn rain
killed on glass impact
one robin that won't get there
autumn rain its shroud
divorce papers raised
a symbolic umbrella
drifting autumn rain
as never before
onto the smoldering ruins
autumn rains lay down
winter solstice passed
and yet the nights grow shorter
only tick by tick
party to class—straight
she knows all about all night
less about long night
the last leaf fallen
all sap drawn down the forest
enters the long night
19.
The Challenge Word: candle
with a sudden sneeze
I blew out my candle-stub
chrysanthemums’ scent
18.
The Challenge Word: autumn rain
soaking smoldering stumps
it fills the stone bird bath
gentle autumn rain
now comes autumn rain
mid- July all of August
corn beseeched the sky
leaf-tea-colored brooks
swirl through un-familiar rocks
steady autumn rain
chance rain/ freezing rain
then rain with wind probable
forecast—autumn rain
in the flower beds
this year’s dead leaves go un-raked
soaked in autumn rain
by leaves he walks on
head down in soft autumn rain
knowing the bare trees
leaf after leaf flicks
losing their grip now and then
in the autumn rain
he drains lots of swamps
a crocodile smiles
in the autumn rain
on smoldering ruin
llueve como nunca
autumn rains lie down
17.
The Challenge Words: wild geese
as I hear them call
I turn slightly with their flight--
the tug of wild geese
in clumsy congress
forming quorums on the lawn
but in flight—wild geese
they call as they fly
wild geese pierce night’s solid cloud
holding formation
as one leader tires
the delta’s point shifts wild geese
riding the slip-stream
a single gander
crosses the sky in full voice
calling out wild geese
though they look alike
the gosling knows its mother
his mother knows him
startled into flight
by an avalanche they climb
wild geese heading home
a noise of wild geese
before the flapping gaggle
beats a silent swan
after an instant
swept by wild geese in passage
I realize I’m home
16.
The Challenge Word: Election Day
election day and
judgement day fall on Tuesdays--
some plan to stay home
pre-election day
the elected and elect
are the same some think
hell or high water
he votes on election day--
the weather is clear
on election day
the spider hangs by a thread
for her it’s normal
knuckling cheap doors
on Election Day evening
to wake the last dogs
election day knock--
I hear them behind the door
trying to shush the dog
15.
The Challenge Word: pumpkin (changed to Halloween)
a pumpkin smoothie
a face on each side
a double-header
meeting you neighbors
taking candy from strangers
just on Halloween
Halloween candy
the bowl by the door still full
last ghosts gone to rest
a little princess
the sole one I recognize
Halloween costumes
the cat bumps her leg
through her Halloween costume
not fooled in the least
cold air and flashlights
their high voices talking fast
through Halloween masks
dressed like my parents
as their Halloween costumes--
all over again
dressed to have been killed
what makes the old couple smile--
kids think it’s funny
the black cat hisses
the spruce grew a witch’s broom
Halloween for real
14.
The Challenge Word: jack-o-lantern
sizing-up pumpkins
for inner jack-o-lantern
by squint of his eye
that big grin of his
turns out his greatest weakness
old Jack-o-Lantern
a dog’s a bother
looking around for a friend
Jack-o-Lantern winks
13.
The Challenge Word: sweater
snugged tight down a sleeve
the kitten in my sweater
stuck forward and back
a shiver to think
fishermen wore such sweaters
in case they were lost
a sailor’s wife knits
the best sweater to drown in
her special pattern
despite climate change
pull on another sweater--
because of in fact
a marvel to see
the baby’s tiny sweater
its powdery smell
she’s trying to choose
for St. Mary’s high-school dance
how tight a sweater
a model who looks
like an un-dressed mannequin
without the sweater
no safe place to stay
sweaters on sweaters she grows
stout in winter cold
born blind in my sweats
she’s in my old sweater now
all eyes and rib bones
12.
The Challenge Words: falling leaves
the first falling leaves
monarchs drift up from asters
geese rise in their Vs
leaves come in flurries
Osage oranges thump down
news—new lows daily
scattering dry leaves
to cover the place where it…
even in still air
the bare earth depends
on this annual leaf-drop--
sorting donations
leaves and acorns fall
together to feed the earth
and keep the squirrel
catch one falling leaf
hundreds flipping and turning
it should be simple
passing by a church
I did belong to one time
veiled by falling leaves
hospital window
waiting for the tree’s last leaf
to let go and fall
11.
The Challenge Word: moon
the moon gets used up
crescent by tearful crescent
slices of onion
the dark of the moon
is enough for the huskies
to start up a howl
the moon pulls away
a few centimeters more
not turning its back
Another finger
A baby with chubby hands
Pointing at the moon
10.
The Challenge Word: cricket
told with a straight face
that the cricket stridulates
the little boy laughs
sleigh bells in the grass
buried by flurries of leaves
joyous cricket time
the crack of willow
that leaves the stumps undisturbed
cricket in the sun
legs lost in field-grass
a blue heron in the rain
fishing for crickets
listening so hard*
the cricket sounds like silence
then like the answer
toads open their eyes
while the birds are all sleeping
crickets fill the night
how could he be here
the cricket in the bathroom
he looks surprised too
dying crickets sing
a song that lives forever
everyone hears them
pondering the chant
of crickets until they sing
each one separately
tinnitus crickets
summer’s end and love
singing their wee grief
tales at camp of ghosts
backed by a scimitar moon
crickets and an owl
a blood meal comes by
delicate and vulnerable
she rises to chance
9.
The Challenge Word: fire
among charred timbers
hidden by the For Sale sign
a twisted wheelchair
drought-fire embers fly
the sky rains a meteor
on the back-fire crew
8.
The Challenge Words: summer’s end
first spinach last beans
still the same pain in my back
at summer’s ending
flocks of goldfinch raid
the glory of summer’s end
tall sunflowers
effervescent motes
of summer’s final sunlight
fill an antique glass
hard buds at twig-tip
starting new at summer’s end
the trudge to college
bees cease their bumbling
summer ends in hurricanes
shoulder to the wind
crickets united
cry summer’s ending
is on us
trees lose first drab leaves
to drought at summer’s ending
before the bright frost
as peas began spring
rattling beans end summer
I just grow older
tender when young
beans now rattle with the breeze
bending to pick hurts
string-beans growing tough
with the summer season’s end
the scare-crow falls down
more where that came from
a first kiss at summer’s end
bees robbed of honey
at the roadside stand
wheel-ruts worn deep in the earth
a good summer’s end
the manure-spreader
makes its end-of-summer sweep
the stalls all mucked-out
the arc of the earth
bends the sea port and starboard
summer seems endless
7.
The Challenge Word: barefoot
hurricane season
barefoot on waterlogged ground
the ones left behind
setting off barefoot
one should against the wind
for the capital
some people sometimes
the only way to approach
barefoot in the snow
Memorial Day
barefoot and clutching mother
he takes his first step
barefoot all the way
up to her new bathing suit
first day on the beach
on white-hot beach sand
while the girls might be watching
a barefoot quick-march
6.
The Challenge Word: cicada
the last cicada
calling and calling lost love
before the next frost
twelve years underground
but the cicada transforms
near the end of life
to share his secret
the cicada emerges
shedding his old shell
on the downward path
the cicada stays with us
despite everything
the male cicada
which has the loudest rattle
is empty inside
by the old folks’ home
an empty cicada-husk
split right down the back
5.
The Challenge Word: meteor
the news the fire
hurricane and meteor--
the awful impact
a billion-year run—
the meteor's streak winks out
among fireflies
a streak that winks out
reflected in window glass--
the meteor's ghost
lost in summer’s noon
an unacknowledged brilliance--
daylight meteor
drought-fire embers fly
the sky rains a meteor
on the back-fire crew
the flames earth sends up
answered by a meteor
with no need for us
high above this rain
far beyond these looming clouds
a meteor glows
viewed from a smooth bed
sheets of rain offer comfort
to all sorts of roots
flashing and grumbling
the leading edge of the storm
renders news static
4.
The Challenge Word: sunflower
building crescendo
the Halleluiah Chorus--
fields of sunflowers
longing for the sun
in the rain and mud of spring
I sow sunflowers
drawn to the blue sky
more goldfinches break away
from the sunflower
the sunflower twists
all morning all afternoon
to face quitting time
naming roadside sights
a stutter of sunflowers
heard from the back seat
2.
The Challenge Word: thunderstorm
rushing into church
a gathering thunderstorm--
the Old Testament
Thunderstorm coming
awful inevitable
Old Testamental
The flower garden
On that summer butterflies
Disappeared
fragile butterfly
thunderstorms in the distance--
distant aren't they?
dismounting his bike
an approaching thunderstorm--
meet the new boyfriend
2.
The Challenge Word: sunglasses
light is time passing
holding the world together--
and so sunglasses
the fashionista
a man lost in reflections--
silver sunglasses
1.
The Challenge Word: fireworks
a bang and a flash
fireworks for grown children--
birds fly through the dark
The results of the challenge, from which I finally selected my own entries are posted here, the most recent first.
36.
The Final Challenge Word: frog
frogs watch for herons
herons on the watch for frogs--
a careless fly lands
amazed at their sound
a trilling chorus of frogs--
the all-boys school choir
pond-frogs jump right in
grass-frogs leap through the long grass
Rome—I’m a tourist
what pleases the frog
and what pleases the heron--
filing tax returns
a frog in the rain
he can't get any wetter--
here's my credit card
35.
The Challenge Word: cherry blossoms
oy cherry blossoms--
all year we hear about them
who can be bothered?
these cherry blossoms--
there were real cherry blossoms
when I was a kid
petals on the wind--
places I don’t even know
a cherry blossoms
so cherry blossoms
cherry blossoms is that all
you think about—sex?
lying on a bed
of cherry blossoms I feel
me being covered
waves of pink and white
combing over the landscaping
and drowning me too
mixing pink and green
upstart crabapples crowd out
pure cherry blossoms
in a petal—storm
of cherry-blossom there comes
this sense of our loss
34.
The Challenge Word: kite
a key on the string
of a rag- tail kite unlocks
lightning to the earth
tugging its bridle
string two sticks paper and glue--
diamond in the sky
doing a leaf- roll
into the lost horizon
when the kite's string breaks
the third time this week
he gathers coins together
to buy a new kite
building a box kite
the instructions blow away--
a boy named Euclid
33.
The Challenge Word: tulips
filling the cat’s grave--
an embarrassing tear drops
in with the tulips
it did not take much
to bring tulips in focus
a touch of the thumb
with tulips in bloom
though I take off my glasses
I can't shut eyes
the cat finally died
the computer's on the fritz--
rain on the tulips
32.
The Challenge Words: spring breeze
snatching every chance
March wind envied me my hat--
spring’s breeze is nicer
she reduces him
destroying wind to spring breeze
with a pouted lip
the spring breeze pulls off
her hat coat gloves and sweater
and last her glasses
rhododendron buds
swollen from winter's pinched airs
in spring's sudden breeze
falcon on spring's breeze
wheels with a cry and plummets--
a falling angel
birches in the wind--
high heels in the bus shelter
poised for spring's breezes
done shaking its mane
March blows out on a spring breeze
sky clear a full sail
31.
The Challenge Word: puddle
the cat melted fast
in a puddle of sunlight--
wind in the window
a puddle of tears
adds some salt to the river
that broke down the dam
a river of tears
winds through many puddles left
after the great storm
a squalid puddle
but heaven to sex-mad frogs--
they’re so young really
slashing through puddles
the evening of a dark night
one head-light goes dead
puddled on the earth
the moon reflects on itself
straight up toward the stars
a one-tad puddle
several frogs short of a pond
but he calls it home
30.
The Challenge Word: crocus
peepers in the pond
and the sound of the crocus
is heard on our land*
*much thanks to the Song of Solomon
the squirrel watched--
of one hundred mixed crocus
he left the yellow
raising in the air
great clumps of soil and mulch--
slender crocus leaves
from trees birds tweet us
through windows house flies buzz us
Spring—pond-frogs croak us
grey days wear me down
what with the firewood near gone--
saved by a crocus
winter solstice snow
brought in the house in a bowl
of dormant crocus
he lost a penny
in a puddle turned to muddle
with a stick
frost whitens the lawn
breaking all spring’s promises--
backsliding one drink
29.
The Challenge Words: waiting for spring
resisting the spring
that last frozen chunk of snow--
marriage counseling
splashes of blackbirds
poke in the mud for pale shoots
not waiting for spring
waiting for the thaw
geese look at our frozen pond
as if it were home
turtles on a log
most of the pond still frozen--
daylight-savings time
wait for the peepers--
about the thawing swamp hangs
the smell of childbirth
bull-rushing summer
clouds sharpen their cutlery
not waiting for spring
28.
The Challenge Words: spring snow
indignant robins
between patches of spring snow
pierced by daffodils
this tangle of weeds
beautiful for its first time
outlined in spring snow
scrubbed souls exit church
into silence and spring snow
not touching the ground
a heart and arrow
throwing heat for all to feel
in unblemished snow
27.
The Challenge Words: wood fire
logs as old as me
reduced to a pile of ash
and one glowing coal
from the forest fire
smoke settles in the resort
his cigarette cough
26.
The Challenge Words: snow shovel
“There’s no shovels like
coal shovels, there’s no shovels
my eye,” Frosty sings
heels up handle first
riding the snow shovel down
embarrassing the grands
door-to-door knocking
they brought their own snow shovel--
hide the snow-blower
the grand-children fight
there’s only one show shovel--
four fingers of snow
hat coat boots mittens
one carrot two lumps of coal
and a snow shovel
skating in circles
behind a slow snow shovel
so others may pass
Snow Shovel Polka
a tune the band doesn’t know--
everyone else does
he lurks by the mail box
leaning on a snow shovel
toothless old geezer
digital heroes
dream digital snow shovels
in the lap-top’s sleep
in the hardware store
they trade covetous glances--
the last snow shovel
I’ve made a big pile
of little thing that don’t last
with my snow shovel
25.
The Challenge Word: Valentine
be my Valentine
today—starting tomorrow
be mine forever
a wink and a nod
enough to make every day
St. Valentine’s Day
no doily-cut card--
chubby hands with thick crayons
made this Valentine
construction paper
shaped like your lop-sided heart--
my best Valentine
24.
(Tanka)
before this chamber
how Valentines are issued--
in strict confidence
as minority reports
and stamped For Your Eyes Only
23.
The Challenge Words: frozen lake/pond/stream.
icicles struck stiff
a frozen pond in a leaf
the air bears no scent
from the clogged gutter
streams of snow-melt caught by night
freeze to icicles
icicles
frozen streams
this afternoon’s drips struck stiff
on the frozen lake
icicle nose to the wind
snowman sniffs for spring
a beaded curtain
made by day’s dripping gutters
evenings icicles
no more icicles
his stream of breath now frozen
to deck his moustache
now a frozen lake
of blood is all binding him
to his place on earth
ice feathers and fronds
grow over the freezing pond
and its silent frogs
he pulls up his hood
to protect him from the wind
off the frozen lake
she breaks glass ceilings
the un-frozen pools beneath
seeped away by noon
wild ducks turn away
on wings that beat through the night
from the frozen pond
.
on the frozen lake
the snowman’s icicle nose
is first to sniff spring
22.
The Challenge Words: first snow
the pup baulks and barks
afraid to walk on white cold--
his first snow tonight
in the Christmas wreath
a wren hides from the first snow
till carolers come
last spring's fawn's first snow--
she runs behind her mother
only three herself
without a first snow
the season can't get started--
without their first kiss...
the first snowman waits
the first day off school not come
the first snow not dropped
sheltered from first snow--
the church doors are set well back
and never disturbed
when he first arrived
he was given summer clothes
and now the first snow
while refugees wait
first snow swirls around the fire
they all poke with sticks
first snow weights the tent
made for heat and summer days--
refugees grow old
camellia buds caught
half-open by the first snow--
doing lines downstairs
cops track the kid down
by footprints in the first snow
and Tazer him dead
tossed on the front seat
after taking him away--
a cold night first snow
huddling for warmth
nobody missed the meeting
despite this first snow
21.
The Challenge Words: long night
birthing a first child
now I understand long nights
first snow a new start
mid-winter and cold
though it’s a long night—from here
it only improves
20.
The Challenge Words: autumn rain
killed on glass impact
one robin that won't get there
autumn rain its shroud
divorce papers raised
a symbolic umbrella
drifting autumn rain
as never before
onto the smoldering ruins
autumn rains lay down
winter solstice passed
and yet the nights grow shorter
only tick by tick
party to class—straight
she knows all about all night
less about long night
the last leaf fallen
all sap drawn down the forest
enters the long night
19.
The Challenge Word: candle
with a sudden sneeze
I blew out my candle-stub
chrysanthemums’ scent
18.
The Challenge Word: autumn rain
soaking smoldering stumps
it fills the stone bird bath
gentle autumn rain
now comes autumn rain
mid- July all of August
corn beseeched the sky
leaf-tea-colored brooks
swirl through un-familiar rocks
steady autumn rain
chance rain/ freezing rain
then rain with wind probable
forecast—autumn rain
in the flower beds
this year’s dead leaves go un-raked
soaked in autumn rain
by leaves he walks on
head down in soft autumn rain
knowing the bare trees
leaf after leaf flicks
losing their grip now and then
in the autumn rain
he drains lots of swamps
a crocodile smiles
in the autumn rain
on smoldering ruin
llueve como nunca
autumn rains lie down
17.
The Challenge Words: wild geese
as I hear them call
I turn slightly with their flight--
the tug of wild geese
in clumsy congress
forming quorums on the lawn
but in flight—wild geese
they call as they fly
wild geese pierce night’s solid cloud
holding formation
as one leader tires
the delta’s point shifts wild geese
riding the slip-stream
a single gander
crosses the sky in full voice
calling out wild geese
though they look alike
the gosling knows its mother
his mother knows him
startled into flight
by an avalanche they climb
wild geese heading home
a noise of wild geese
before the flapping gaggle
beats a silent swan
after an instant
swept by wild geese in passage
I realize I’m home
16.
The Challenge Word: Election Day
election day and
judgement day fall on Tuesdays--
some plan to stay home
pre-election day
the elected and elect
are the same some think
hell or high water
he votes on election day--
the weather is clear
on election day
the spider hangs by a thread
for her it’s normal
knuckling cheap doors
on Election Day evening
to wake the last dogs
election day knock--
I hear them behind the door
trying to shush the dog
15.
The Challenge Word: pumpkin (changed to Halloween)
a pumpkin smoothie
a face on each side
a double-header
meeting you neighbors
taking candy from strangers
just on Halloween
Halloween candy
the bowl by the door still full
last ghosts gone to rest
a little princess
the sole one I recognize
Halloween costumes
the cat bumps her leg
through her Halloween costume
not fooled in the least
cold air and flashlights
their high voices talking fast
through Halloween masks
dressed like my parents
as their Halloween costumes--
all over again
dressed to have been killed
what makes the old couple smile--
kids think it’s funny
the black cat hisses
the spruce grew a witch’s broom
Halloween for real
14.
The Challenge Word: jack-o-lantern
sizing-up pumpkins
for inner jack-o-lantern
by squint of his eye
that big grin of his
turns out his greatest weakness
old Jack-o-Lantern
a dog’s a bother
looking around for a friend
Jack-o-Lantern winks
13.
The Challenge Word: sweater
snugged tight down a sleeve
the kitten in my sweater
stuck forward and back
a shiver to think
fishermen wore such sweaters
in case they were lost
a sailor’s wife knits
the best sweater to drown in
her special pattern
despite climate change
pull on another sweater--
because of in fact
a marvel to see
the baby’s tiny sweater
its powdery smell
she’s trying to choose
for St. Mary’s high-school dance
how tight a sweater
a model who looks
like an un-dressed mannequin
without the sweater
no safe place to stay
sweaters on sweaters she grows
stout in winter cold
born blind in my sweats
she’s in my old sweater now
all eyes and rib bones
12.
The Challenge Words: falling leaves
the first falling leaves
monarchs drift up from asters
geese rise in their Vs
leaves come in flurries
Osage oranges thump down
news—new lows daily
scattering dry leaves
to cover the place where it…
even in still air
the bare earth depends
on this annual leaf-drop--
sorting donations
leaves and acorns fall
together to feed the earth
and keep the squirrel
catch one falling leaf
hundreds flipping and turning
it should be simple
passing by a church
I did belong to one time
veiled by falling leaves
hospital window
waiting for the tree’s last leaf
to let go and fall
11.
The Challenge Word: moon
the moon gets used up
crescent by tearful crescent
slices of onion
the dark of the moon
is enough for the huskies
to start up a howl
the moon pulls away
a few centimeters more
not turning its back
Another finger
A baby with chubby hands
Pointing at the moon
10.
The Challenge Word: cricket
told with a straight face
that the cricket stridulates
the little boy laughs
sleigh bells in the grass
buried by flurries of leaves
joyous cricket time
the crack of willow
that leaves the stumps undisturbed
cricket in the sun
legs lost in field-grass
a blue heron in the rain
fishing for crickets
listening so hard*
the cricket sounds like silence
then like the answer
toads open their eyes
while the birds are all sleeping
crickets fill the night
how could he be here
the cricket in the bathroom
he looks surprised too
dying crickets sing
a song that lives forever
everyone hears them
pondering the chant
of crickets until they sing
each one separately
tinnitus crickets
summer’s end and love
singing their wee grief
tales at camp of ghosts
backed by a scimitar moon
crickets and an owl
a blood meal comes by
delicate and vulnerable
she rises to chance
9.
The Challenge Word: fire
among charred timbers
hidden by the For Sale sign
a twisted wheelchair
drought-fire embers fly
the sky rains a meteor
on the back-fire crew
8.
The Challenge Words: summer’s end
first spinach last beans
still the same pain in my back
at summer’s ending
flocks of goldfinch raid
the glory of summer’s end
tall sunflowers
effervescent motes
of summer’s final sunlight
fill an antique glass
hard buds at twig-tip
starting new at summer’s end
the trudge to college
bees cease their bumbling
summer ends in hurricanes
shoulder to the wind
crickets united
cry summer’s ending
is on us
trees lose first drab leaves
to drought at summer’s ending
before the bright frost
as peas began spring
rattling beans end summer
I just grow older
tender when young
beans now rattle with the breeze
bending to pick hurts
string-beans growing tough
with the summer season’s end
the scare-crow falls down
more where that came from
a first kiss at summer’s end
bees robbed of honey
at the roadside stand
wheel-ruts worn deep in the earth
a good summer’s end
the manure-spreader
makes its end-of-summer sweep
the stalls all mucked-out
the arc of the earth
bends the sea port and starboard
summer seems endless
7.
The Challenge Word: barefoot
hurricane season
barefoot on waterlogged ground
the ones left behind
setting off barefoot
one should against the wind
for the capital
some people sometimes
the only way to approach
barefoot in the snow
Memorial Day
barefoot and clutching mother
he takes his first step
barefoot all the way
up to her new bathing suit
first day on the beach
on white-hot beach sand
while the girls might be watching
a barefoot quick-march
6.
The Challenge Word: cicada
the last cicada
calling and calling lost love
before the next frost
twelve years underground
but the cicada transforms
near the end of life
to share his secret
the cicada emerges
shedding his old shell
on the downward path
the cicada stays with us
despite everything
the male cicada
which has the loudest rattle
is empty inside
by the old folks’ home
an empty cicada-husk
split right down the back
5.
The Challenge Word: meteor
the news the fire
hurricane and meteor--
the awful impact
a billion-year run—
the meteor's streak winks out
among fireflies
a streak that winks out
reflected in window glass--
the meteor's ghost
lost in summer’s noon
an unacknowledged brilliance--
daylight meteor
drought-fire embers fly
the sky rains a meteor
on the back-fire crew
the flames earth sends up
answered by a meteor
with no need for us
high above this rain
far beyond these looming clouds
a meteor glows
viewed from a smooth bed
sheets of rain offer comfort
to all sorts of roots
flashing and grumbling
the leading edge of the storm
renders news static
4.
The Challenge Word: sunflower
building crescendo
the Halleluiah Chorus--
fields of sunflowers
longing for the sun
in the rain and mud of spring
I sow sunflowers
drawn to the blue sky
more goldfinches break away
from the sunflower
the sunflower twists
all morning all afternoon
to face quitting time
naming roadside sights
a stutter of sunflowers
heard from the back seat
2.
The Challenge Word: thunderstorm
rushing into church
a gathering thunderstorm--
the Old Testament
Thunderstorm coming
awful inevitable
Old Testamental
The flower garden
On that summer butterflies
Disappeared
fragile butterfly
thunderstorms in the distance--
distant aren't they?
dismounting his bike
an approaching thunderstorm--
meet the new boyfriend
2.
The Challenge Word: sunglasses
light is time passing
holding the world together--
and so sunglasses
the fashionista
a man lost in reflections--
silver sunglasses
1.
The Challenge Word: fireworks
a bang and a flash
fireworks for grown children--
birds fly through the dark