Seven More with Simon

The first line of each haiku or senryu is taken from “Time as Memory as Story” by Simon J. Ortiz.

All failures and gains
are to be held in plain sight
till your journey’s end.

~~ ~~ ~~

He misses the times
when he skimmed ice off the trough—
three thirsty ponies.

~~ ~~ ~~

I wanted to wait
and watch the three women sway—
willows in the wind.

~~ ~~ ~~

Fifty years ago
she fell from grace, smoothed her skirt,
shouldered her own load.

~~ ~~ ~~

Within what might be
the scent of iris, or fleck
of stray light, she dwells.

~~ ~~ ~~

To say what time is,
heap words into little mounds,
fill them with birdsong.

~~ ~~ ~~

Even potatoes
are still this April evening,
waiting for more rain.

© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher

More Blue Monday

More The Poetry Pantry #125

More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 84

More Postcards from Paradise at Recuerda Mi Corazon

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Posted on November 25, 2012, in Blue Monday, haiku, Postcards from Paradise, senryu, The Poetry Pantry, The Sunday Whirl. Bookmark the permalink. 28 Comments.

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Comments (28)

laura hegfield | November 25, 2012 at 7:10 am

really loved number 1 and 5 in particular…well done as always.

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Daydreamertoo | November 25, 2012 at 7:18 am

Really enjoyed 1 2 and 7

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anl4 | November 25, 2012 at 7:22 am

Loved each one…like children, not one better than the rest.

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- magicalmysticalteacher | November 25, 2012 at 7:32 am
  
  Are you SURE parents don’t have favorite children? It took me years to realize that, even though I was the firstborn, I was NOT my parents’ favorite child. In retrospect, it was painfully obvious that my younger brother was the proverbial apple of their eye. (Being their favorite obviously didn’t do much for his self-esteem. He killed himself three years ago.)
  
  I think poets (and readers) have their favorite poems too. I’m often surprised when people are delighted by one of my poems that I think is only so-so.
  
  Some random thoughts this early Sunday morning!
  
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Misky | November 25, 2012 at 8:57 am

The last one is pure magic.

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thecheesewolf | November 25, 2012 at 9:14 am

love especially the “Fifty years ago” and the “to say what time is” pieces… thank you.

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Green Speck | November 25, 2012 at 9:33 am

You are ever so versatile !!!

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Abin | November 25, 2012 at 9:53 am

man, this is great! especially the last section…and the two before that.so basically the last three sets.wonderful sensitive imagery.brilliant.

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Abin | November 25, 2012 at 9:55 am

Man, this is great! Esp the last three sets.beautiful sensitive imagery.brilliant!

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1sojournal | November 25, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Each one is a moment in time. The pauses between them to savor. Again, I like each one for its own peculiar qualities.

Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/first-kiss/

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brenda w | November 25, 2012 at 12:21 pm

The thirsty ponies and the willows as women stand out for me this week, although I love them all. Your work fills me.

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WabiSabi | November 25, 2012 at 12:22 pm

I, too, dwell in what might be the scent of iris or a fleck of stray light and it is a good place to be. Lovely verses, every one.

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Sherry Marr | November 25, 2012 at 1:01 pm

I always enjoy the depth of meaning in your haiku. I enjoy them more than most haiku, and I really like haiku. I love the three thirsty ponies. And the willows in the wind.

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Mama Zen | November 25, 2012 at 3:55 pm

The fourth is spectacular!

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- magicalmysticalteacher | November 25, 2012 at 4:18 pm
  
  I had a hard time writing that one, if you must know!
  
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Kim Nelson | November 25, 2012 at 5:37 pm

Journeys, ponies and one’s fall from grace– brilliant!

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PJF Sayers | November 25, 2012 at 6:52 pm

MMT, a lovely collection, but the second is my absolute favourite.

Pamela

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Audrey Howitt | November 25, 2012 at 7:07 pm

Loved these, especially 1, 2 and 7–

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siggiofmaine | November 25, 2012 at 9:48 pm

How unique…I wish I’d thought of this way of dealing with the wordle.
“The first line of each haiku or senryu is taken from “Time as Memory as Story” by Simon J. Ortiz.” I am not familiar with this but you have made it memorable by your haiku or senryu.
A thoroughly enjoyable write. Thank you.
Peace, Siggi in Downeast Maine

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Cafe au lait | November 26, 2012 at 10:42 am

I love them all but the last one is my favorite.

I played too. Mine are here and here.

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LaVoice | November 26, 2012 at 3:47 pm

Great words we can all learn from.

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Paige | November 26, 2012 at 4:03 pm

hello mmt, poems 4,5 and 6 really touched me esp 5.

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Tumblewords | November 26, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Wonderful. I’m particularly fond of the potato finale.

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TheOthers1 | November 26, 2012 at 9:30 pm

I like the fourth one. Even in something so short I get a clear picture of the woman.

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Brenda Bishop Blakey | November 27, 2012 at 6:05 am

Each one is a jewel as if beads on a prized necklace want to outshine the others.

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JulesPaige | November 27, 2012 at 6:48 am

Dear MMT – Shouldering on is something we all must do. (I do not feel I was my parents favorite either, my sincere sympathy on your loss.)

Grace is something we need to honor ourselves with more. Grace is like love in want of a clear definition – each person has their own favorite out of a multitude of options.

May we all be able to be wild, free and joyful at some point. Thank you.

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Cheryl's Excellent Adventure | November 27, 2012 at 1:45 pm

“To say what time is” stanza is magical. I love it. i love them all. Thanks for visiting.

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Paula Tohline Calhoun | November 28, 2012 at 11:05 am

What a delightful (again, as always) integration and connection of your shenryu/haiku for this Wordle Challenge! Thank you for visiting mine and leaving such a nice comment as well! Come back!

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