We think she ambled up our hill
and grabbed the seed bin
left outside our door
then took her prize down to
the stream-cut woods
behind the house to feast
Our feeders are aswarm again
returning snowbirds and
winter stalwarts busy feeding
none of whom would care she came
unless denied their food
But the squirrels and I are glad
that she was choosy in her way
Do you think if I asked nicely
she would return my scoop?
fermenting love
shall we raise love’s goblet now,
so soon, to drink raw wine
this vintage newly casked,
or should we free
our senses to absorb
time’s sun and water,
ripening our feelings gently
matching nature’s earthy rhythm,
gathered in at peak and pressed,
their bursting essence flowing into
stout oak cradles to ferment
and morph to richness
on the tongue and in the heart,
is this not worth the wait?
note: this is an Anacreontic, a poem about love and wine. done with no set meter or rhythm. Today’s prompt on the NaPoWriMo.com site.
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poem and photograph © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
early moments
am I welcome here,
where imagination soars
in arcs so wholly random,
long and winding streamers,
wafting into ether pillows,
a mind so newly woken,
my place of endless magic?
wanting some assurance,
I stop rambling once again
waiting, silent, hopeful
hearing peace and reason,
always present if I listen,
answer aye, so lovingly,
wholehearted in assent
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my morning daydreaming, as I like to think of it, is something that I cherish, as it was the only time, until recently, that I could release my mind to wander where it wanted. I wrote this poem using the ‘beau present’ form, requiring all words in the poem to begin with a letter contained in a name, any name. William Shakespeare popped into my head, so I went with him.
bursting forth, perhaps
almost, not quite there
waiting, for more warmth
to take the leap, and
open buds, flowers, hearts
return us to a world of green again.
a signal from another plane
says it is time, it is safe now,
release your energy, open
the lock gates to another
flow of life
leavings
joy has come and gone
felt intensely in the moment
welcomed, for whatever
time it gives us, as if
there is no choice
but to grant its freedom
the will creates
by dint of effort
and intense intent,
but the transcendents
touch us only when
we open to their message
and are resigned
to their release
is there surety of return
in our acceptance?
the way to joy or happiness
wearing smooth or easy?
perhaps our souls
become elastic, porous,
bending in the wind
of our emotions,
ready to receive.
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
a haiku for april 6
awaiting release
the sounds of joy thrum softly
then shout out in song
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haiku © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
the sixth
bright eyes and loving spirit
found again, oh so stubborn
in her quest for peace
despite life’s quakes
we see her unafraid,
bold both in laughter
and in loving touch,
this gift of light
our admiration swells
the more for knowing
what she gladly paid as dues
in searching for the truth
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
Joy Renewed
we are ready, we think,
for tomorrow, making music
shared among ourselves,
for strangers, and those
who populate our lives.
we have but to erase
details, orts left of grander
chores, now simple ticks.
as we began, rich notes
brought tears of joy
burst out of souls and eyes.
but tied to knowledge,
certainty arrived as well,
so flat in effect that
to be on stage
seemed almost afterthought.
tonight will tick away,
and tomorrow we will gather,
drinking swiftly, deeply from
Cecilia’s well, knowing
blessed energy will flow
in us with the first downbeat.
poem copyright 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
brother
you came next
and I became a sister
older, loving you
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
first light
when first light comes
my bedroom window pales
to violet behind the trees.
then stealthy flittings
catch my eye, as birds
begin the early dash
from woods to house
and feeders. sprinters,
flyers, swoopers,
vying to be first.
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
in flux
great movement has begun once more
with snow’s retreat into the ground
and sun’s advance up to its peak
we look out into woods or over lawns
and see a constant ebb and flow
of birds now grounded, searching food
the leavened earth is pushing up
its sleepy winter denizens in search of warmth
to meet bright eyes and hungry beaks
our feathered corps is swelling once again,
as winter stalwarts joined by brighter guests
begin to dance the minuet of spring
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poem © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
finding the spot
he lies in sun,
his still young bones
craving warmth and comfort
she seeks the cold,
lies out in snow
or the most drafty space
yet they will lie together
drawn by instinct, and
the certainty of place in touch.
note: inspired by seeing Horrie seek his sun spot in the kitchen, and Aggie in its coolest place.
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poem and photograph © 2014 KH Rantilla. all rights reserved.
