Lord Undergrowth

Jan 28

Posted by

Undergrowth photo SonoranJan20131778a_zpsa8814adc.jpg
Sonoran Desert, Southern Arizona
 


Trembling desert mice—
rescue them, Lord Undergrowth,
from beak and talon.

 

Text and photo © 2013 by Magical Mystical Teacher
 
More Haiku Heights: “Rescue”
 
More Carpe Diem: “Special by Shiki”

Posted on January 28, 2013, in Arizona, Carpe Diem, desert, haiku, Shiki, Sonoran Desert, Southern Arizona, Straight Out of the Camera Sunday and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink. 22 Comments.

  1. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) | January 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    That’s the purpose of the undergrowth.

    Reply
  2. Sabio Lantz | January 28, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Funny!
    May the poetry god protect you from the syllable cop.

    Reply
  3. WabiSabi | January 28, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    The poetry god probably says ‘trem/bling’ :))

    Reply
    • magicalmysticalteacher | January 28, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Did I commit the unforgivable haiku sin and miscount syllables? Would the world end if I did? Heaven forbid!

      I am of the firm opinion that counting syllables does not necessarily a haiku make. Seventeen syllables might or might not be a haiku.

      Reply
      • Look for A Lovely Thing | January 28, 2013 at 9:25 pm

        trembling is 2 syllables not three. And it’s true, if you miscount and post 18 a least 3 of your household appliances will spontaneously combust and all the digital clocks will blink “haiku fail.” hahah. I am teasing.

        Reply
        • magicalmysticalteacher | January 29, 2013 at 4:02 am

          Yes, trembling is two syllables, making the first line a traditional five syllables. So my household appliances are safe, right? 🙂

          Reply
      • WabiSabi | January 29, 2013 at 6:16 am

        How right you are, teacher. Lord Undergrowth tickled me! The way you use language to pack each poem full of meanings makes it a pleasure to visit this veritable haiku palace!

        Reply
  4. Look for A Lovely Thing | January 28, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    haha. “Lord Undergrowth” Love it! Save them

    Reply
  5. JazzBumpa | January 28, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    As the sun sets west
    Even the tiny sand mice
    Cast long dark shadows

    Cheers!
    JzB

    Reply
    • magicalmysticalteacher | January 29, 2013 at 4:03 am

      “sand mice”

      I’m going to remember that line and use it somewhere, sometime, somehow. It’s a lovely, gritty image! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Suzy | January 29, 2013 at 12:42 am

    Good imagery. Nicely done. Pic goes well with haiku.

    Reply
  7. Gemma Wiseman | January 29, 2013 at 3:17 am

    Your voice sounds a little like a prayer from St Francis of Assissi! Creative and interesting!

    Reply
  8. jrbsays | January 29, 2013 at 4:56 am

    Lord Undergrowth has a very bushy beard methinks. Love it thank you 🙂

    Reply
  9. 4joy | January 29, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    your photos and haiku always feel mystical and magical…You live in a very different place than I have ever been….Also, I don’t understand the other commentors and the ‘syllable count’ thing….It’s not the end all be all of haiku in English,..

    Reply
  10. ladynimue | January 29, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    what a nice vision. had to read twice to grasp it 🙂

    Reply
  11. nonnie aka scrappygrams | January 29, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    you fit your name most wonderfully today, Magical M Teacher!

    Reply
  12. Sallie (FullTime-Life) | January 29, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    A beautiful hiding place for the tiny things in nature!

    Reply
  13. Chevrefeuille | January 30, 2013 at 6:00 am

    Nice find ‘Lord Undergrowth’ awesome haiku.

    Reply
  14. Alice Keys | January 31, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    The syllable count discussion was an amazing dessert to the actual beautiful haiku. Thanks for stepping off the edge of the page with this one.

    Say the word “trembling” in southern ( I lived in the deep south for 13 years). It could be stretched and drawled and dipthonhed to take up all 17 syllables. 😉

    Reply
  15. ElizOF | February 5, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    They need all the help they can get… Lord Undergrowth! 🙂

    Reply

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