Tag: Walks with Zephyr

Escaping the Heat
My haiku journey continued this week with an escape from the heat. I was able to head up to the mountains with a friend and my dog. A change of scenery is a great way to reawaken the sense of wonder. Before my trip, I discovered a small garden in the center of town that had painted rocks displayed. They were painted by a children’s group to bring kindness to all who saw them. I wonder if my musings bring joy.
7/23 river of kindness messages to lift spirits hidden in plain sight
7/24 quiet morning walks before the heat of the day with my loyal dog
7/25 summer evening walks are for watching the sun paint streaks across the sky
7/26 mountain daisy field playground for a dog to run on this summer day
7/27 mighty fallen tree crashing down in the forest loudest home wrecker
7/28 warm day mountain bliss cool water rushing down stream doesn't stop to breath
7/29 setting sun wants to stay up gets last word in
July 29, 2023

haiku, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park, wondering
Trying New Things
I have never been a huge fan of poetry. To me, poetry requires an ivy-league education and I only went to a state school. There are so many levels and hidden messages to think about and decipher. I have to admit, I like to be entertained in a relaxed-mind setting and don’t want to do the heavy work of figuring out what somebody else is thinking.

With that said though, I have enjoyed learning more about haiku. What is often called three simple lines, can be anything but simple. The seventeen syllable rule is not one that needs to be followed, or even should be followed. I have been reading Haiku and Senryu, A Simple Guide for All by Charlotte Digregorio. She teaches that haiku is a “short poem revealing insights into the moments of our lives through evocative images.” She adds that “haiku has no title, and punctuation and capitalization are used sparingly, if at all.”

This week I decided to try to leave behind the seventeen syllables. Honestly, I am not sure if I like that. I like my rules. I now know many haikuists prefer writing with as few words as possible to evoke an image for the reader. Sometimes I think a few more words are beneficial to the reader. A friend told me my poetry is for people who don’t like poetry. I think that may be true. Let me know your thoughts.
7/16 singular color until new growth starts thriving old gives way to new or singular color until new growth agent of change
7/17 mighty sun beating down on us with all its force inviting cool lake or sun beats down all its force inviting lake
7/18 little blue shoe sits alone on the sidewalk while a mama searches or blue shoe alone on the sidewalk mama searches
7/19 empty parking lot countdown to new beginnings summer fun fading or parking lot waits for students summer fading
7/20 when the sky rumbles the best place to ride it out on the couch by mom or sky rumbles heart races protect mom
7/21 I can see the fence, should I be worried about invisible dog? or visible fence I wonder invisible dog?
There are so many other things to consider when writing haiku. I’ll attempt those things in the coming weeks. I may never reach master level, but I still enjoy creating three little lines about what I see when out on my walks with Zephyr. There is always something to wonder about.
July 22, 2023

haiku, poetry, Walks with Zephyr

Summer Has Arrived

With the second week of July, the first heat wave arrived. The temperatures were in the 90s pretty early in the day. For Colorado, this is warm. Zephyr and I tried to be out for our walk before 7:00 each day. We still found plenty of things to wonder about. A couple of times I got distracted by his antics and almost missed finding something to pause and think about. Fortunately, the world always provide something if you take the time to look.

7/8 - Colorado Bloom

One simple flower
Standing tall along the trail
Away from the crowd

This is one of my favorite haiku.  I took the picture hiking in Winter Park a few days earlier, but I remembered how this one flower grew apart from the rest of the flowers.  I often find I like my space, too.

7/9 - After the Rain

Just a butterstay
Waiting for its wings to dry
Then a butterfly

I was worried the butterfly was injured because he didn't fly away as we walked by.  I went home and researched they can't fly when their wings are wet and have to sit and patiently wait for them to dry.

7/10 - Rings of Life

One ring is enough
for some, but others collect
them throughout their life

Several years ago an old tree and fallen across the path and had to be cut in half so the trail could still be used.  The morning sun seemed to be shining down to highlight the trees long life.

7/11 - Touch of Fall

When most want iced tea
There is that one who orders
Pumpkin Spiced Latte

I've noticed many of the trees around my neighborhood have fall-colored leaves this summer.  I don't know if it is a result of the wet start to summer or a lack of iron in the soil.

7/12 - I Wonder

Will the snowy peaks
yield to summer sun before
Jack Frost's cold return

I always watch to see if there is ever a time all the snow melts.

7/13 - The Old Tree

V for victory,
a sling shot at the ready
or a sign of peace

The old trees that have been stripped of bark look light long, bony fingers to me.

7/14 - Lucky

Favored this morning
Small beetle of red and black
Garden pests doomed

I was pleasantly surprised when this ladybug joined me for breakfast.  Did you know they are actually beetles and not bugs?

July 15, 2023

haiku, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, wondering

July 8, 2023 – Second Half of the Year

I sit here on my front porch enjoying a pleasant morning. The birds are chirping, people are mowing their grass, and my dog keeps bringing me a ball to play with. The clouds are starting to gather, promising me more of the nonstop rain we have experienced this year. I read that June provided a record amount of rain for Colorado. For someone who loves the sun, I spent the month looking for joy whenever possible. In this first week of July, that was mostly in the flowers that are drinking up all this water.

7/1 - July First

Start of a new month
brings new life where once all was
thought loss to June storms


I never thought my flowers would come back after they were knocked around by severe storms last month.

7/2 - Just Keep Driving

My car is a guest
in this long line of highway
traffic heading west


I knew there would be traffic heading up to the mountains before the 
July 4th holiday, but I went anyways.
My estimated driving time kept growing the longer I drove.
It was still worth it!

7/3 - Giants All Around
(Collum lune poem)

Feeling very small
looking up at the sky
through the trees

In studying haiku writing, I have learned about lune poetry, often referred to as American Haiku. Collum lune writing uses a 3/5/3 word count.

7/4 - Fourth of July

Old establishments
Must give away their strong hold
To allow progress

Its amazing to see new growth on the root system of fallen trees.

7/5 - Last Night's Rainstorm

Thanks Mother Nature
For watering the flowers
They have had enough

Our Fourth of July plans changed when the wall of rain fell on us. I won't be watering for a few days.

7/6 - Morning Walk
(Collum lune)

Slow and steady
Site of unexpected creature reward
Zephyr missed out


Strange to see a pond creature on the hard sidewalk. I'm glad my dog didn't see it.

7/7 - Sunflowers

Reaching for the sun
Basking in its loving warmth
My kindred spirit

If I was a flower, I would be a sunflower.  I feel like one when I go outside and just take in all the sun has to offer, especially on a cold winter day.

July 8, 2023

haiku, poetry, Walks with Zephyr, wondering

End of June – The Year Is Half Over

Today is the last day of June, and it ended about the same as many of its days – cool and damp. I had big plans to go for a bike ride this morning, but the sound of thunder before I even got up reset the day. Fortunately, I was able to get out and finds things to wonder about over the last few days.

6/24 - Summer Morning

Blowing in the breeze
The leaves shimmer and sparkle
Like scales on a fish

6/26 - Bird House

Open door concept
after last night's party broke
the hinges right off

6/27 - Hiding in the Grass

Place for hide and seek
Maybe there is a lost ball
Waiting to be found

6/28 - Spilling the Tea

Black birds gathering
Think of the gossip they have
From flights near and far

6 /29 - Living Well

Morning walks are nice
Trips to the park are lovely
Please repeat daily

June 30, 2023

Walks with Zephyr

Back to my Happy Place
I love getting to go up to the mountains in the summer and spend as much time as possible there. Some people love it more in the winter for skiing, but I am a summer girl through and through, especially when Zephyr is with me. I think he may even enjoy it more than I do.
6/22 - Happy Dog Hiking with my friend He never lets me go first Nice of him to wait
6/23 - Fallen Tree Freshly fallen tree Once stood tall for protection Now serves from down low
June 23, 2023

Granby Countuy, Walks with Zephyr, Winter Park

Back Home in June

After being gone so much this month, I really appreciated my usual walks around my home. I really do live in an amazing place.

6/15 - Mountain View

I have missed this walk
All my senses are alive
My dear home sweet home

6/16 - Morning Clouds

Morning clouds reflect
on the watery mirror
blending sky and land

6/19 - Place for a Bird

Shipwreck washed ashore?
Twisted wood cradling a perch
Birdhouse is waiting

6/20 - Two Wheels

Pumped up my tires
Put on my shoes and helmet
My summertime ride

6/21 - Colorado Gardening

Coming back from doom
Punished by the stormy wind
New life emerges

June 23, 2023

Walks with Zephyr

First Week of June
I was happy to be back home with my dog and cat. Zephyr was a little upset with me for being gone, but Max, my cat, was more forgiving. I didn’t want to tell them I was about to leave again.
6/5 - Openings An invitation in for a cup of coffee or a quick exit
6/6 - Transgressions The mayor flew by Squawking about broken rules We have offended
6/7 - Joy The warmth of the sun on an early morning walk and field to explore
June 23, 2023

Walks with Zephyr

First Week of May

May started out with more rain and warmer temps for morning walks.

5/1 - Little Library

A hidden treasure
Think of all the adventures
Waiting to be found

5/3 - Hurry Up

I've tried explaining
Why he is so much faster
Two versus four legs

5/4 - Spring Rain

Bottle up the smell
I breathe in after the rain
Is my wish today

5/5 - Hidden Friend

Must be very still
The dog just walked by me, but
The girl saw me blink

5/6 - Air Delivery

Greetings from above
Hello from Colorado
Beautiful morning

5/8 - Spring Blossoms

Blossoms in the tree
Smell of spring is strong today
Beauty all around

June 23, 2023

Walks with Zephyr