Blog Archives
Haibun: Bathing the Turtle
Sheltered by a stand of willows, I watch a young boy giving his pet turtle a scrub in the pond. Obviously this turtle’s well cared for, and no disease will carry it away. Such empathy! I fight the urge to cry out, “What a great kid!” If only I had some flowers to leave to show my appreciation for this boy’s tenderness. But I must go. Thankful for this little diversion from the day’s bad news, I turn toward home. It’s a long walk. If I’m lucky, I’ll get there before dark.
All my bitter tears
vanish in a single note
from the blackbird’s throat.
Haibun © by Magical Mystical Teacher
Quickly the Night Comes
Quickly the night comes, sending out stars;
Children stuff lightning bugs into jars.
The bat chasing bugs will stop for a rest
After it catches the last pesky pest.
Ripples of darkness spread over the pond—
Shadows envelop each leafy palm frond.
Invisible creatures run to and fro—
We’d see them if they were running in snow.
Quietly, dear, let me sing you a song;
Moths near the streetlight won’t be there long.
The night is far gone, but not my love, dear—
Here at the frog pond I think that is clear.
In daylight or darkness, winter or spring,
I’ll sing by the pond, dear, to you I will sing.
Poem © 2019 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Oasis
The pond, Yuma Conservation Garden, Yuma, Arizona
desert oasis—
psalms older than creation
rising from the pond
Haiku and photo © 2018 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More SkyWatch Friday
More Poetry Pantry #4012 at Poets United
More Haiku My Heart at Recuerda Mi Corazon
Blue Monday: Pond and Wand
Detail from a mural in Artists Alley, Ajo, Arizona
Between two tall cacti there lies a small pond.
Look in its depths and you might find a wand,
A wand that a wizard just can’t do without.
Say, aren’t you a wizard? If so, give a shout!
Poem and photo © 2017 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Unity
Yuma Conservation Garden, Yuma, Arizona
Three ducks on a pond,
in unity of purpose,
seek the day’s first catch.
Haiku and photo © 2017 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More Midweek Motif at Poets United: “Unity”
Haiku My Heart
Sunset over a pond at a golf resort, Yuma County, Arizona
onto the fairway
evensong spills from a pond—
golf resort at dusk
Haiku and photo © 2016 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Lovers of small words and small poems usually gather each Friday with Rebecca at Recuerda Mi Corazon to share their haiku. However, because Rebecca is in San Miguel de Allende, we will gather here today. Welcome!
Secrets
A young visitor seems to communicate with pigeons near the koi pond, Japanese Friendship Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
pigeon whisperer—
the secrets he can murmur
only to his friends
Haiku © 2016 and photo © 2015 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More Blue Monday
More Carpe Diem’s Summer Retreat 2016: “One with Nature”
Dreaming
One of many ducks at the pond, Yuma Conservation Garden, Yuma, Arizona
Resting on one leg,
a duck near the garden pond
dreams of the next fish.
Haiku and photo © 2016 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More Shadow Shot Sunday 2
More Carpe Diem’s Summer Retreat 2016: “One with Nature”
Cooing
Sunset on a golf course, Southern Arizona
sundown at the pond—
a hundred hidden pigeons
cooing for the light
Haiku © 2016 and photo © 2015 by Magical Mystical Teacher
Dreams
~~ 1 ~~
sharpening pencils
with the word vicinity
niggling at my mind
~~ 2 ~~
some magic liquid
to summon seven wonders
from the shallow pond
~~ 3 ~~
three shorebirds piping
songs to the dunes at daybreak—
their liquid voices
~~ 4 ~~
lying down to dream
after bicycling twelve miles
buffeted by wind
~~ 5 ~~
a big bowl of dreams
swimming in natural broth
spoon ready to dip
~~ 6 ~~
a thin stream of juice
thinner than water or light
in leftover dreams
~~ 7 ~~
dreaming at midnight—
in the distance a cabin
with an open door
Haiku © 2015 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More Poetry Pantry #273
More Sunday’s Whirligig #28
Magical Mystical Teacher 