Tag: birds

turkey vultures

we saw them twice

their winged magnificence and

yellow-hooked beaks

circling high in autumn sky

en route to a winter home

~

Photo credit: bones64 posted on Pixabay

Bird migration is the theme of this week’s Haikai challenge. Not being a bird expert, I can only guess that the vultures I saw lately were on their way south, but it seems to be an explanation for their recent appearance. Turkey vultures are listed as birds on the move in Ontario at this time of year.

©️2018 Ontheland

Renga with Basho #5

Wren, courtesy of Pixabay.com

:

In this Renga with three haiku of Matsuo Basho, translated by Jane Reichhold, the three line stanzas in bold italics are written by Basho and the regular typeface responses are mine.

what kind of tree

with the unknown flower

such a fragrance

.

is that a brown-headed crow

snapping air for flying fare?

.

with a fan

drinking wine in the shadow

of scattered blossoms

.

wren on the pedestal bath

sipping flower-flavoured tea

.

melting away

the brush draws up the water

of a spring

.

swift strokes over rice paper

unveiling a waterfall

.

blossoms at their peak

the mountain the same as always

at daybreak

.

floral scents infuse the dawn

bird songs trill to greet the day

~

©️2018 Ontheland

Carpe Diem Renga with Basho #5

A fusion of haiku by Ryokan

Yesterday morning I was commenting to my partner that if I were to write a haiku out of season it would be about summer in winter. I couldn’t do a winter haiku in summer I said. Yet, one hour later, I was looking at fusing two winter haiku…perhaps waiting at a courthouse in freezing air conditioning made it feel possible.

Here are the two winter haiku featured by Chèvrefeuille at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai Crossroads #12 for creating new ‘fusion-haiku’. The author is Japanese poet, Ryokan (1758-1831).

river in winter

soaring over peaks

an eagle spots its prey

©Ryokan

~

hedge branches

young birds are raised

morning snow

©Ryokan

~

My new ‘fusion haiku’:

an eagle circles

sharp winds swirl river of snow

prey nest far below

~

©️2018 Ontheland