Hawaiian Haiku #AtoZChallenge2021

Twin hibiscus smile
Queen Kapiolani Park
Sunshine lights their face

The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters: a,e,h,i,k,l,m,n,o,p,u, and w; so lots of words in the Hawaiian language begin with the letter "h". Because this is Friday, and automatically #AlohaFriday, I wanted to choose a Hawaiian word but the sheer volume made this difficult. 

My understanding is that when Bill Gates needs a difficult task completed quickly, he hires a lazy person because a lazy person will figure out how to do the task quickly. (That kind of thinking is why he has the big bucks!)

Being a lazy person myself at times, I decided the quick way to complete my post for "H" day was to write a haiku, 17 words total.

Although I took the photograph many years ago, these twin hibiscus blossoms make me smile every time. #AlohaFriday everyone!

*****

Happy February: Reaching Your Goals and Setting New Challenges

How's that goal-setting working out for you so far? Seems like 2016 barely ended and January hit the ground running. I wasn't in that marathon and didn't hit the ground very hard when it came to blogging. Rather than give up, though, I decided it was time to rev up my motor and get kicking.

 

February is NOT too late to set goals, or to begin working toward the goals you set in December.



FIREWORKS OVER MAGIC ISLAND IN HONOLULU
Celebrating Our Accomplishments of 2016
and looking forward to all that 2017 has to offer!

Two goals on my list for 2016 were to post thoughts about the 70 poems in my book of linked poetry; and to read and review 71 books. As New Years Eve approached, I could breath easier, knowing those two goals were met. That meant less guilt for me when transferring other goals to 2017.

 

You can access my Goodreads Reading Challenge 2016 page here:

https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/show/3890-2016-reading-challenge

My goal for 2017 is to read and review 72 books, in a wider variety of genres than ever before!

Facing Forward

 

There wasn't much time to celebrate reaching the end of the above goals, however. November 1st marked the beginning of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writers Month. If you haven't participated in this annual ritual yet, check out what all the shouting is about and consider setting it as a goal for November, 2017. Here's the link:

 https://nanowrimo.org/sign_in



 

Not everyone sets goals at the start of each new year. Some have routines that keep them soaring toward their lifetime goals without hesitation. Others accomplish tasks and projects in routine fashion, gliding over bumps in the road and sidestepping obstacles with ease. My most heartfelt congratulations to you. I really, really need to watch more TED talks!

 

To everyone:

Happy FEBRUARY of this New Year

ALOHA

and

Best of Success in 2017

  

 

LAST CALL: Squealing Kids #61

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING

70 Poems for 70 Days 

 is a collection of linked poetry I wrote as a birthday present to myself and gifted in book format to 70 of my friends and family members. Over a period of 70 Sundays, I am submitting the poems in the order of composition, along with a short comment about the poem’s style or theme,
often including a complementary photograph.

With linked poetry, a form of Japanese Renshi poetry,

the last lines of one poem are used to form the title of the next poem,

then the next poem shifts to a different topic..

I hope you find a few entries that bring a smile to your face or a long buried memory to the surface of your consciousness. Poetry is like that, whether you are the reader or the author.

61

Last Call 

Dinner on the stove

Pie in the oven

Kids squealing

Outside, “You’re it.” 

Dad pulls in

Young ones run

to push

The garage door up 

Rusted chain

Sounds like

a game

Of squealing tag 

Hugs all around

“Why aren’t you washed for supper?”

“Mama never called.”

And now the pie smells burnt.

 

This is one of those “Twilight Zone” endings where the reader must determine the final outcome.

 

 

 

Into Success #54 and Far Beyond #55

54

Into Success

She walked into success

With four-inch heels

And dusty-rose linen suit. 

Her smile flashed with confidence

Showering the crowded room

Doubt left at the sliding glass door 

“Sweet” described her weekly stats

Earned with forceful charm

Familiarity the winning edge 

Heights encourage depths

Obtained easiest by overreach

Far beyond the

elusive brassy ring.

 

Success followed by regress does not a failure make. Every experience is a rung up the ladder, heading toward the next goal.

*****     *****     *****

55

Far, Far Beyond

 

Encouraged to walk

You stood and crossed

The room 

Continuing far, far beyond

Until hands

Steered you to safety

Tempting with strange noises,

Very loud 

Your lips quivered

Searching for a promise

Sweetly warm

 

Discouraged, you sat

Garnering attention anew 

Lesson learned

You rose on wobbly feet

A toddler, at last.

 

Each of the linking poems receives its title from the final words of the previous poem. The fun of forming a poem based on this new title is that you never know what to expect until the words actually reach the page. Even then, the idea often veers into unexpected territory. This poem is a good example of such a twist. For those who first think the person encouraged to walk is elderly, the ending is a pleasant surprise that conjures up memories of ones self, or of children and grandchildren taking their first steps.

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS
photo by: lakotawestband.ord

 

 

 

*****     *****     *****

 

EVERY DAY, ANOTHER HOLIDAY #46, #47, and #48

Life has a way of moving forward, even when you feel you are making no progress. Each event is part of living. Not everyday can be a celebration or a holiday, and the troublesome times make the good times all that much better!

#46

Good Life Ahead

 

Heliconia Blooming in the Backyard

 

Unpaid leave, hospital stay

then home, empty-handed again.

Cupboards lacking

Wallet bare. 

Part-time work, nights

at the old folks home.

Salted crackers and loose tea bags

From the commissary cart. 

One day you will be

rich as Midas, with golden

sunshine gracing the lanai and

mangoes ripening on the shelf. 

Every day, another holiday.

 

* * * * *

 

#47

Another Holiday 

Her birthday and

opening day of fishing

clashed each year.

She said it did not matter when

they celebrated, or if the gift

was wrapped. 

The game continued

year to year:

he never forgetting to

plan ahead

she always joking that

one day the rules would change.

This year the same as last,

but different. Far beyond retired,

the fishing tackle sold.

The cake awash with surreal light,

they celebrate on Cloud 99.

Candles not required. 

This year the parents celebrated their 99^th birthdays in heaven, surrounded by the brilliant light of many relatives and friends. Their marriage was a loving partnership that allowed disagreement and compromise as acceptable avenues of dialogue. They instinctive knew how to pick their battles.

 

 * * * * *

 

#48

No Candles

Your special dessert, Auntie,

bring enough for everyone

Picnics in Neshotah Park;

Potluck; Easter on the farm. 

Memories accumulate.

The canvas fills with poppies,

like distant stars waking in

A shimmering sky. 

One final request,

if you have the time.

Can you bring

your special dessert, Auntie? 

I’ll wait for you.

 

A tribute to Auntie Lucille for her love-filled poppy seed cake with cream cheese frosting; and to Leigh for a final request fulfilled.

 

 * * * * *

 

This trilogy of linking poems is more personal than some of the other offerings of linking poetry within Another New Beginning. While each poem was written from remembered thoughts of past experiences, these three reflect a stir of memories accurately represented by a smile of sadness. Sad only because life is so fleeting and we don't become aware of its rapid passing until we look at it from a position of stillness.

With the sound turned off, every action has a new interpretation.  That thought just came to me and may not apply here, but I liked the feel of the words as they rolled around in my mind. Before you write  the final chapter of your life, before you ask for that special dessert, before you reach Cloud 99, take some time to turn the sound off in your hectic life and absorb the sight of a shimmering sky, the flavors of a favorite cake, conversation with a loved one, and turn your differences into a successful enterprise.

Enjoy the good life ahead, before you spend another holiday with no candles.

 

 

POSSIBILITIES: Poem #44 from #AnotherNewBeginning

#44

Possibilities 

 

Happiness bubbles up from

a cauldron of endless possibilities,

giving rise to celebrations

only imagination can provide. 

At sunrise, reach for the sky

atop Mount Haleakala,

or from the comfort of

your own back yard. 

Drink sparkling liquid

laced with fresh-peeled lychee

while relaxing in the sensual

jet stream of a soothing hot tub. 

Hear the waves splashing along

Atlantic and Pacific shores; dance

flamenco in Madrid; enjoy the swans

in Brugge and Boston Common. 

All this, and more, isn’t

happiness realized;

knowing you can dream

is the true fulfillment. 

 

This is one of those prose poems that needs little explanation beyond the reader's own interpretation.

Pleasure is often derived from lingering upon memories that once brought happiness. But the knowledge that you can continue to find happiness in everyday life, without chasing rainbows or searching for pots of gold, is what truly matters.

Knowing that contentment is within easy reach, within yourself, is happiness realized.

*****     *****     *****

 

THE SUPERNATURAL and BEYOND WORDS Poems #42-43

42

The Supernatural 

Speaking in tongues

Searching for inspiration

Hands grasping,

Minds laid bare 

Enlightenment nearing fingertips

Yet always just beyond reach

The brass ring,

Unattainable 

The elusive transformation

From human to divine,

Is unfathomable, far

Beyond ability

 

When it becomes accepted belief that it is possible to alter God’s creation to reflect something of man’s own invention, thereby making man (woman) appear all powerful, then not only the molecules of thought are rearranged, but also the raw materials of the soul. This is not about cloning, Hitler’s regime, or IVF, but about the dangers inherent in my own inflated ego.

 

*****     *****

43

Beyond Words

 

 

There are words

I want to build on

And to use as titles

Of poems. Phrases with meaning: 

 

Rendering a Thought Visible

Or

Attempt at the Impossible

 

But my page is blank

Not barren, only empty.

As the leaves of autumn

Shrivel and blow away,

So has my inspiration.

 

Leaving behind only

Possibilities.

 

Inspired by the works of Belgian artist René Magritte and an essay by Marcel Paquet: The Enigma of Poetry.

 

 

A MOTHER'S LOVE Poem 31 of #AnotherNewBeginning

#31

A Mother’s Love

 

 

Photo taken in side yard of RiverEdge Galleries

Mishicot, Wisconsin

 

Death
does not

release the bonds,

or lessen

the strength of

emotions experienced

at birth. 

God’s plan

for claiming His own

has no

rhyme or reason

in the minds

and hearts

of mere mortals. 

Once connected

Always

One

 

*****

 

How easy to take the suggested title from the final words of the previous poem, “experience a mother’s love” and immediately hone in on the eternal connection between mother and baby as the topic. No matter the age of the child, from prenatal to old age, one never loses the comfort of the strong tie symbolized by the life-giving umbilical cord of the womb. 

As the child matures, strong bonds are formed with other relatives and friends, also. This poem as easily highlights ties with a lifetime friend, a lover, a marriage partner. Regardless of the relationship, when God chooses to bring a member of His family home, the pain of loss for those left behind still creates an emptiness that appears to have no rhyme or reason. 

For those struggling with the loss of a loved one, regardless of the amount of time that has passed, always remember that with hearts, minds, and souls:

Once connected

Always

One

 

 

#30 SENSING ANTICIPATION poetry

It is difficult to describe the pleasure I derived from writing the poetry that ultimately became a little book: ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING. I believe my participation in years of "April A to Z Challenge" prepared me to "stick with it" until I wrote and edited all 70 poems. This light-hearted poem reflects our unique ability to absorb emotions.

  

 

#30

Sensing Anticipation 

She sees

Crust, a crispy shell dimpled

by miniature bubbles.

Like fragile lava, hardened

 

She tastes

Lemon filling, with scrapings

from the rind.

Tangy and mouth-watering

 

She touches

Eggs, whipped while adding

sugar to the mix.

Scooped atop the filling

 

She inhales

Meringue, toasted light

until peaks curl and brown.

Experience a mother’s love

 

 

*****     *****     *****

 

 

Mom always had little tricks for making foods taste a bit more special. She added small amounts of sugar to her pots of chili. She grated lemon rind and added it to her lemon pie filling to give it that extra tanginess. The back of my mouth waters just thinking about the flavor of her lemon pies.

Her meringue always came out with perfectly browned and curled peaks. I guess all of her desserts seemed perfect to me. The only “tale” we ever heard as kids was the one about the chocolate pudding. 

Dad loved to tell the story about when they were newly married. Mom attempted to make chocolate pudding for him. He said it ended up the texture of tanned horse-hide. He always got the “faux air slap” gesture for telling the tale, but I think Mom enjoyed having him tell it. She had no inadequacies in her role as homemaker. 

While Dad served in the Army during World War II, she ran the household and took care of three small children. Rosie the Riveter, doing her patriotic duty in the factory while her man protected the country’s freedom, had nothing on my mother. Housewives kept “home fires” burning during that time. When the men returned home to their families, they found strong, independent women waiting for them. 

Images of “Leave It To Beaver” moms and “I Love Lucy” wives were as much a joke to these women as to the men. 

 

 *****     *****     *****

 

 

Z is for ZEALOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT DESTINY #AtoZChallenge

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at
illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write.
Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate.



Z is for ZEALOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT DESTINY

Thank you to all my fellow A to Z'ers for sharing this month of April, offering your thoughts for me to read and reading the thoughts I put forth. A special thank you to the people who planned and executed this year's April A to Z Challenge. The amount of work involved is immeasurable.

 

Although posting 26 times in one month has its drawbacks, the fun of feeling so productive is another reason I find such joy in writing on a daily basis. I have chosen my path, one filled with simple pleasures. In this, I have made my own destiny.

 

May you always have control of your destiny.

 

 

 

Keep looking up, and reach for the sky!

 

 

Following are two prose poems from my Renshi-style poetry collection.

Both reflect my thoughts about destiny and how a person must take control of their own life.

 

 

36

Strength to Live 

Desire, Strength, Commitment

three separate paths

toward achieving success* 

Each path demands dedication

a lifetime of living

no distractions along the way 

Time is so short, even

dreaming must have purpose

when each day brings new challenges 

Hurdles appear insurmountable

as age takes its toll, leaving

destiny to mold and shape itself.

 

*The true meaning of success is in the minds’ eye of the beholder.

 

37

Molding Destiny

 

A fallacy,
both the molding

and the destiny
 

The master plan

includes free will,

without restriction
 

No ending

is pre-arranged

by calendar month:
 

Play here

Marry over there

Die on schedule
 

Rather: follow

what your heart

beats in time.

 

*****  *****

 

May your zest for life never diminish in power or enthusiasm.