Soaking the edges
Dew washes my hakama
With the scent of dawnStill carrying the chill of night, the flat garden stones were refreshingly cool beneath my bare feet, just beginning to thaw in the soft morning light. The air was rich and clean, as if it had never before been breathed by another creature. Animals stirred within the woods, their ( Read more... )

Sneaking through the woods
Golden rays of sun ambush
Unwary shadowsSitting on the worn wooden swing beneath a thick canopy of wild grapes, I watched the grey fragments of sky between forest branches shift hues, ultimately becoming pristine pieces of clear blue. Thin shafts of sunlight sifted through the leaves, shinning into dense woodlands to melt ( Read more... )

Beneath the window
Crisp satin pillows are cooled
By summer moonlightCurling into the comfort of soft cream colored quilts, I drew one of the smooth brocade pillows closer, tucking it gently beneath my head. Turning to rest my cheek against the plush square, I was delighted to discover that the pillows sanguine surface was infused with a refreshing ( Read more... )

With a clack of shells
The painted turtles vanish
Into a rippleLacquered forms stacked haphazardly upon the sunken branch, the elegantly domed reptiles rested contently in the last rays of the late afternoon sunlight. Piled together in an assortment of different sizes, their gold streaked heads swiveled to study my approaching form upon the waters ( Read more... )

Sounding in alarm
Wind chimes forewarn the approach
Of a sudden stormClashing together in a cacophony of urgent notes, the usually tranquil tones of our hand-tuned chimes were reduced to harsh, chaotic melodies in the intense unwonted winds. Rushing onto the deck curiously, I discovered that the balmy day had been smothered in churning steel clouds ( Read more... )

Noble call piercing
A hawk waits in our garden
To greet this dawn foxBefore the sky had lightened beyond a soft silver hue, I was awakened by a bird of prey's unmistakable cry, boldly shattering the meditative pre-morning stillness. With a smile of realization I quietly hurried outside, pulling on my azure robe as I slipped down the stairs and ( Read more... )

Chirping in the night
Peep frogs welcome my return
To the spring marshesStanding in the cool, idyllic darkness, the night branches are embellished with resplendent stars sparkling mutely against the deep indigo sky. Resounding from within the forest, tiny frogs symphonize together, while cricket's duet with the melodic wind rustling through the ( Read more... )

Tragedy born, who
will care for the trembling fawn
Beside the doe's corpse?Dark concrete covered in brilliant streaks of carnelian, the deer lay lifelessly beside the road, centered in a crimson puddle. Her velvet coat shone like golden mahogany in the late afternoon sunlight, svelte limbs and delicate ankles frozen at awkward angles. An ( Read more... )

Dawn illuminates
The green stained glass leaves of spring
A feather choir singsAwakening while the world still slept, I slipped outside to stand on the porch, watching the twilight creatures stir before hints of rose brushed the horizon. The air was cool and refreshing upon my bare arms, and birds flitted from branch to branch, calling out to ( Read more... )

Though laying in sunlight
It is the shadows embrace
That warms my heartCurled beside the enormous picture window, I rested under the golden rays slanting in through the thick canopy of oak trees outside. Eyes closed beneath the suns warm touch, my mind drifted pleasantly, floating through the still waters of serenity without a ripple of concern. As ( Read more... )