Winter Colors...Five haiku from my back yard...
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By: Larry L. Conners
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Caterpillar crawls
Black Raven waits patiently
A leisurely meal...
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A bodice of ice
Proudly worn in Winter's grace
Pond in Silver clothes..
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An Oriole flits
Splashes of Orange and Black
Greets the Winter White..
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Spanish moss retreats
Holds itself in Gray embrace
Dreams of early Spring...
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The gauze-like air, hushed
A Thousand Hearts beat unseen
Anticipation...
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Larry
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nice one , loved it
SP...Yes, I am indeed fortunate to live in this paradise called northern Arizona...These are a few of the daily haiku I write while having coffee in the mornings...Thank you for the comments, and as always I look forward to sharing your latest inspirational prose...Larry
lovely images from lovely haikus! love the photos too!
Sameerk...Thanks for stopping by...Your pleasure is my reward...Larry
tnderhrt...Thank you for the appreciated comments...I wish I could share this winter wonderland with everyone...Larry
Great Haiku and nice pictures. Thanks very much.
Vladimir...I hope your holiday season was a joyous and fulfilling one...It's always great to hear from you...Thanks for the comments, and you are most welcome, my friend...Larry
I find Haiku so difficult to write. These are brilliant - well done.
I also think these are wonderful. Very nicely done.
acaetnna...Your beautiful smile is always welcome here...I can't imagine much in life being difficult for you...your poetry is always a pleasure to read...Larry
Pamela...Thank you for the nice comments...There is a different beauty and mystery during winter if you look and listen for it...the silence can sometimes be deafening, with each sound and sight magnified when that silence is broken...it happened again this morning when I was privileged to watch a family of Bobcats, momma, poppa, and baby cub, suddenly appear out of the morning mist and casually stroll through my cactus garden...they were absolutely magnificent...such precious creatures we have for company on this spinning rock...Larry
You are your lovely wife are blessed. To walk outside and be treated with all that beauty is a privilege. Your haikus are beautiful, as well. You have so many interesting sides to you, maven. Voted up and beautiful.
Larry, Northern AZ is nice this time of year, with many windows to peer out and stay warm with a rolling fire in the brick,
Your Haiku is well honed and full of inspiration.
Am I forgetful or is this the first post I have read?
I'll be back, see you tomorrow for breakfast, good Lord willing Peace and much Love until then, dusty
Morning POP...Such gracious comments from such a good friend and fellow traveler...Your inspirational and motivating Hubs start my day with awakened passion in the challenges faced by our remarkable nation...challenges being met by remarkable Americans, like yourself, that keep me intellectually engaged in this national conversation...
The stunning beauty of nature, its quiet, unassuming ways, each in perfect harmony with the other, is a lesson the world should follow...Peace and love to you, dear POP...Larry
Hi Larry - enjoyed your winter collection - thanks :)
Hi Dusty...Glad you found me, your intelligent and cogent comments are most appreciated...I always look forward to your humorously prefaced comments at our morning breakfastpoppers table...you lend an air of authenticity and righteous indignation to the conversation that always leaves me shaking my head and thinking " Where in the world does this fellow get such insightful and meaningful thoughts living off the grid and beholden to no one..? ". You know something, Dusty, that the rest of us don't...
Yes, this is my first Hub, this year...Go well, my friend, and as always, Semper Fi....Larry
Air like gauze -- now that describes the situation here in Ohio, too. Nice haikus, Larry; very earthy and descriptive, image-evoking. Peace and prayers for spring!
Good morning, Dave...Thanks for reading these and leaving your appreciated comments...Looking forward to your next...Take care, my friend...Larry
Morning Doug...I love that morning mist that clings to the ground and trees...it seems to smother all sound as it silently creeps in and around the landscape...I was fortunate to watch as three Bobcats suddenly materialized out of the mist and walk through my cactus garden...What a privilege and joy that was...It was an absolutely precious moment...
Carpe diem, and keep writing, my talented friend...Larry
Short and so sweet, Larry. you have truly found your art form relishing the beauty of your own back yard. "There's no place like home" after all. My fav is ending with a word that suggests a beginning -"anticipation"! "A thousand hearts beat unseen" is splendid! Bravo.
Gerry...I love writing haiku...the discipline and simplicity of the form appeals to my sense of beauty and clarity...
Isn't anticipation a great way to approach life..? I know I anticipate each day when I open my email and discover new insights, new Hubs by my favorite writers, so many things that make life such an adventure...and yes, I'm in anticipation for your next poetic effort which never fails to inspire and give me pleasure...
Thank you for the much appreciated comments and encouragement...Take care, my friend...Larry
Hi Larry - Really well done and great fun and admiration to the author in the reading. The photos were all superb, as well. Thanks, good friend!
Gus :-)))
Thank you Larry a awesome and unique poem. Godspeed. creativeone59
Gus...Being the man of the earth that I know you are, I know you can relate to these themes on nature...Haiku does not lend itself to humor, or even love for that matter...Sonnets do a much better exploration of those themes, as practiced by the always entertaining Gus the Redneck...Thanks for stopping by, Gus, and leaving those encouraging comments...Larry
My sweet Benny...Thank you for stopping by and leaving your heartfelt comments...I return to your wrenching poem " I want to Live " every now and then, and contemplate the tragedy of a modern society that not only condones these heartless decisions, but also encourages the practice...You have long been a constant inspiration to those of us on HubPages...God bless and keep you well, my friend...Larry
Thank you Larry! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your haiku aloud a few times. Just slowly saying the words, 'Catepillar crawls' is music itself and creates a wonderful image. Great images throughout too. More than all of this skilful expression, is your ability to be in the present and to appreciate the wonder of abundant nature. You inspire me. Russ
Russ...it is you that has inspired me to try this form, and for that I am forever grateful...
The caterpillar crawls was inspired by your haiku Winter, and the bug that you welcomed into your ear...
Stay warm and Sala Kahle, my friend...Larry
You sure know how to weave those words and the emotions with them, Larry...great imagery as well...Up and Beautiful! WB
Hi Wayne...Thanks for the read and much appreciated comments...Your intelligent and well-reasoned Hubs are always a pleasure for me to read, and the added dimension of your excellent poetry highlights your amazing literary talent...Go well, my friend...Larry
As we go about in our everyday mundane affairs of earning a living amid the hustle and bustle we hardly are aware of the beauty that surrounds us.These Haikus make me pause and reflect.Thank you for sharing the joy of nature.
SilentReed...I really appreciate your comments and that you have enjoyed this poetic glimpse of nature wearing her winter clothes...The eternal rhythms of life beat in silence until we pause to listen...Carpe diem, my friend...Larry
There is majesty in the simplicity of your images. I really enjoyed reading these haiku. I have never tried the form but between you and Russ maybe I could get inspired to give it a go!
Enjoy your morning coffee!
Sala kahle, friend!
Love and peace
Tony
Beautiful!!! Ah, I really love your Haiku! The first Haiku give me smile. The rest make me feel cozy. Thank you for sharing everyday world through your eyes. ^_^
Tony, my multi-talented friend...You would eat this form up with that articulate vocabulary you possess, and sail through it with all the power and majesty of Wellington's fleet...
Thanks for stopping by... I really appreciate your encouraging comments, and I would like nothing better than to share a cuppa with you sometime...Peace and love to you, also, my friend...Larry
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Great... New Work... And well worth the wait Sir Larry.. nicely balanced haiku mate! Enjoyed these, though I'm sure there are another 5 missing!
Which reminds me:
Did you get that 10lb Rainbow Trout that I posted to you for Christmas? I hope so, but has anyone from the Postal Service asked you to claim the parcel with a strange odor? Hmmm.. I hope I got the address right, but I'm sure they will find you, coz the ice pack would have melted by now! Oh well... I'll just post you another one then.... Take Care Mate.
Freya...Thanks for stopping by...Your sweet comments are much appreciated and give me honest pleasure that you enjoyed these haiku...Go well, my friend...Larry
G'Day Rob...You have Rainbows over there..? My fav sport fish...Give me a fly rod, a dark pool beside a rushing stream, a mobley fly, a six-pac tied to my waders, and I am in heaven, my friend...
Never got the package...The homeland security called me in for questioning when they discovered the horrible smell coming from that package...They demanded to know who sent the package and threatened me with a TSA body search...Next time just send yourself over here...I know a couple of spots on the Verde River that will satisfy your Anzac soul...
Tight lines, my friend...Larry
I REFUSE TO: Secret a 10lb Trout Internally (eaten or otherwise) just to attempt to beat Customs! I am 4 mins away from 5 - 18lb Rainbows Larry... and you don't even need the waders... You may well find heaven is Lake Tarawera, because you are guaranteed a brawl with each fly taken... You are also most welcome to join me - though we may have to take the long way round which takes 20 mins.. just so you don't think me a skite!
Thank you for that offer Larry.. I may well take you up on that in 2012.. if my plans pan out, I must spend some time in the States.. I know I would enjoy your company my friend.. let's raincheck that huh?
Btw... I like these haiku.. I wonder what we could jointly come up with on the Verde River?
Tight Lines Larry.. Be Well.
Rob...5 to 18 pounders ?? My god, what are you feeding those guys down under..? Kangaroo meat ? We average 3 to 5 pounders, pan size, with the occasional grandpa around 10 pounds...I can't imagine an 18 pounder on a 3 pound test...Whoa !! Now that would be a fair fight...That fish would be big enough to steak out rather than fillet...
Inspiration would surely flow if I were challenged with such...
Offered fly skims pond...
Bright Rainbow colors explode...
Raw energy felt...
And the glorious battle begins...3 pound test against 18 pounds of fighting fish...In the end we both win...He set free, me thrilled beyond words by the struggle...Stay well, my friend, and anytime you can make it over here you would be most welcome...I even have some Steinlager to make you feel at home...Larry
Good Stuff, Larry...you are always the very descriptive one in your writings. Semper Fi
Steve...The manlypoetryman, thanks for stopping by and leaving your much appreciated comments...as always, Semper Fi, my friend...Larry
Larry ,With a few words you paint a mural .I appreciate your artwork and aspire to be as prophetic.
Wishing you well
Ray
Ray...Thanks for stopping by and leaving your appreciated comments...I loved your beautiful prose in " Slash Pine "...Your ashes stirred up many memories of a Hawaii that, sadly, no longer exists...I didn't realize they had sugar cane in Florida, but then, watching a golf tournament on TV from Boca Raton, I discovered they have parrots down there also...I have to get out more...
Take care, my friend...Larry
Brevity retains beauty, because it hides from unecessary words. Wonderful work!
Hi arb...I am in total agreement with your observation that brevity retains beauty...As Keats' has writ: Beauty is truth, Truth Beauty..
Truth is surely found in the fewest words possible...Haiku provides that avenue for me to explore which I embrace with passion and humility...I love the discipline and the intense focus required in this simple 3 line, 17 syllabic form...
Thank you for your cognizant and welcome comments..Stay well, my friend...Larry
I'm going to give it a closer study and give it a try-yours has moved me to do so!
arb...I'm looking forward to your first efforts...You have a ton of talent and wield a wonderful vocabulary...You may want to visit Russ Baleson's haiku Hubs wherein he describes the basics of the haiku form...One of the most difficult being the disparate thoughts between the first two lines and the last line which brings them together...Good luck, my friend...You have a marvelous adventure in front of you...Larry
wow, these are great! I love the imagery.
sfrenz...Thank you for the nice comments...I also enjoyed your haiku Hub this morning...Thanks for stopping by...Larry
A bodice of ice
Proudly worn in Winter's grace
Pond in Silver clothes
Wow! beautifully done. I love the whole series.
Thanks cat...Your pleasure is my pleasure...Carpe diem, my friend...Larry
Hi Larry! The images were better than the words........and of course, the words were better than the images. Inspiring stuff !
Vino...Thank you, my friend...Your comments are most welcome...Larry
Lovely. Thank you.
mslizzee...Thank you for the lovely comment...Your beautiful smile is most welcome here...carpe diem, my friend...Spring is just around the corner...Larry
Your haikus are perfect moments...thank you!
Hi Genna...Thank you for a perfect comment...Spring is upon us...Grab a handfull , carpe diem !!!...Larry
Fantastic! So glad to have found you. I just got back from Flagstaff. My husband and I are going to retire to AZ.
TIna
Tina...Welcome to Arizona.! We love it here...the people, the weather, and the nature is fantastic...Sure beats Bay Area traffic and noise...
So much native American heritage to explore...We hike Sycamore canyon for petroglyphs and other ancient native American relics...fascinating stuff...
Thank you for stopping by and leaving comments...Larry
Hi Larry , sorry to bother you. I did a edit on ant march . added a ending.Would mean the world to me if you'd check it out for me.
Ty
Ray
Larry, I love the last, best- A thousand hearts beat unseen. What a vision that creates, especially when set beside the raccoon. Wow. Voted up! And couldn't resist Awesome, either.
Storytellersrus...Thank you for the much appreciated comments...Isn't he cute..? The innocence of nature stands in stark contrast to Man's endless machinations...
Stay well, my friend, and enjoy this gorgeous Spring...Larry
Beautiful! Aaaah! Haiku always great things to enjoy. short verses but meaningful lines, awesome! Love these very much. ^^ Vote up, beautiful and awesome, Sir.
Freya, of the beautiful smile and loving heart...It gives me real pleasure to have given you these moments of enjoyment...I'm reciprocating for all the pleasure you have given me with your lovely heart-felt prose...God bless and keep you safe my friend...Larry
What breathtaking photos - I will definitely watch for your work.
Loved your description of your wife in your profile. Lucky lady.
By any chance are you a "maven" from "Tipping Points" ?
Kathleen...What a beautiful Irish name for a beautiful lady...Thank you for reading my haiku and leaving the appreciated comments...
My wife is not the lucky one, I am, in so many ways...She is my lifeboat in the tumultuous sea of life, and I love her dearly...
Yes, I am a Maven, if the Tipping Points descriptor ( to focus on sharing our information with others so that they can benefit from our research ) is correct...In another life I was a history teacher which I thoroughly enjoyed...
I see you are a published writer and poet...Let me welcome you to HubPages where you will be a most illustrious and inspiring addition to our friendly group of aspiring and accomplished writers...Larry
A poet awakes
New verse purported, graceful
Jaggedfrost is glad
A poet responds...
With gladness in haiku form...
Reciprocation...
Your oriole's splashes of Orange and Black remind me of halloween colors as the pagan holiday approaches.
Gerry...The contrast against the white snow is startling to see...like a kaleidoscope of orange, black, and white colors constantly moving, changing, disappearing...
So much beauty surrounds us if we only take the time to really look and listen to what nature is doing and saying to us...Take care, my friend...Larry
Haiku, a little different than what I am used to reading, but me thinks I like it! Beautiful pics too. I have a dog that looks similar to yours, and I love the little mutt to death. Thanks for the great read.
That's Rocco in the pic with me...His best friend is Sly, my tuxedo cat...They play for hours and sleep together...
Haiku can be a little difficult to read if you are not aware of the elemental aspects of the form : Raw nature expressed in a simple 5-7-5 sylabic meter...I'm glad you enjoyed them...Thanks for stopping by and leaving comments...Larry
You are so lucky Maven! I wish I could wake up to all of this beautiful scenery every morning. Thanks for posting this hub it was wonderful. Voted up! :)
Good morning Kay...Looks like another beautiful morning aborning...I watched a family of Javelina follow their ancient trail down the mesa's edge behind our home...Nothing changes the ingrained rhythms of nature...
Thank you for leaving your appreciated comments and welcome to Hubpages...Larry
The Suburban Poet Level 7 Commenter 16 months ago
Larry... if you can walk out back and see all that then you are in paradise my friend... awesome! You expressed the beauty and the winter chill quite well...