clay, and ev’rything

This is the seventeenth set of haiku from my daily practice started on January 1st, 2021. The previous set is here. I publish a new set every 19 days. Enjoy!

we run the same paths

and yet we experience

such different days

some of these rivers

swiftly move with such volume

depth has no meaning

I treat my tea bag

like it is the very last

tied for each refill

this colorful mist

brings me in and out of the

focus of this path

however I tread

may it be quiet and soft

as though I am not

your entire self — world

is but a dew drop of sky,

clay, and ev’rything

oh my bald cypress

you have shed for the season

now, take in more light

sometimes it’s the clouds

that provide the light you seek

in dark winter days

you gather right there

ready to coalesce — one

puddle of raindrops

The structure of you

is beyond understanding

beautiful — complex

it is like you stand

always reaching to the west

waiting for sunset

I saw you today

in the window made by rain

whispering of love

I picture myself

merging with the trees and leaves

not just in shadow

stopped my class today

so they could all see this bird

summer tanager

I write this for you

a permission slip to be

the person you are

your consistency

does humble me to this earth

a night reflection

I found you — fallen

glorious touching the earth

while reflecting sky

I keep company

that demands sugary treats

and announces life

I could write more than

a thousand poems of you

and still fall so short