Even the itsy bitsy spider
Found himself tired and uninspired
Climbing up that water-spout
Just to be washed back out
He gave it a lot of thought
Before deciding to take off
For an environment that inspires
To feel a life full of blissful desire
It was on a warm spring day
He set out and made his way
To a Meyers Lemon Saloon
Checked himself into a bloom
Spun a deceitful web of doom
Luring all his lovelies with perfume
Her thorns are a mystery
each a sweetbrier
of history
With roots running deep
there’s strength
in her beliefs
She reaches for the sky
no rhymes or reasons
to justify
Thriving in a cold world
fighting for space
to unfurl
Bestowed by unique beauty
I find myself beguilingly
on duty
Barren of emotional leaves
yet still a formidable
tree, needs
Note: These trees are in my neighborhood, I’m not certain what they are, but Google indicates this is a floss-silk tree common in California.
Blue-jays arrived in the West
To build a nearby nest
Using their natural defense
They take turns on their descent
Tormenting my pet
From the safety of the fence
It’s quite an event
To witness
It’s vivid colors
Made my heart sing
Till I saw a torn wing
Steadily flapping
Despite its pain
Almost happily
To my wonder
Dismayed
I hear the drums beat
In the heat of the city streets
The sounds of world flutes
Fluttering curtains and leaves
Of the tall oak tree
Out the window of my room
A native chant calls with every flap
Carried upon a falcons back
Reminding me to look and see
Find the inner peace
That elevates me
She set out to cross the country
Over treacherous mountain ranges
With a manageable, steady gait
Covered over thirty miles each day
Till she found her final destination
A serene place she wanted to stay
Climbing up to the plateaus edge
Pictured the view and took a look
Clean, untouched forest for a den
Padded to a nearby babbling brook
Forepaws sunk in cool, wet earth
Thirst abated, a joyous pelt shook
On a park-side bench
Saltwater Humidity
Reaches with a breeze
Chasing away the dried leaves
Scattering, to dance for me
-Tanka
