Each night in June, I’ve added an addendum to my prayers to please be awakened in the night to the sounds of thunder.
Paling leaves wilt
in sol’s hot white stare —
fish wriggle dry ponds.
Where we have had a weeks-long drought, plants and bird baths needed daily attention. Three days ago, steel grey clouds blew in and soon began to empty, quenching all.
Midsummer’s long rain
makes shallow pools of fields –
robins dunk for worms.
June’s many clear nights have passed observing lady luna’s slow disrobement.
Primed for finale
strawberry moon blushes
hides in the clouds.
I chose to write the haibun series in 197, 195, 196 order as that’s how the weather played itself out.
Frank J. Tassone is the host of Haikai Challenge. Frank says:
| Challenge number: | Date | Kigo |
| #195 | 6/12/21 | midsummer rain (samidare) |
| #196 | 6/19/21 | summer moon (natsu no tsuki) / Strawberry Supermoon |
| #197 | 6/26/21 | smoldering hot (moyuru) |
Write the haikai poem of your choice (haiku, senryu, haibun, tanka, haiga, renga, etc.) that alludes to any one, combination, or all of the kigo listed above.
Tao Talk 
Welcome rains quenching thirst of beings and earth.
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Yes! Everybody is happy. You should see the lightning bugs out there tonight. It’s quite the fireworks display :)
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Aww, so wonderful
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I like that Lisa. I really like that style.
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Thank you, Max, glad you like it. The prompts worked out just right.
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It’s just amazing so much can be expressed in a small framework…I know it takes some work to do that.
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Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #1 (6/27/21): Jade Li’s latest #haibun series for my current #Haikai Challenge!
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All the moods of summer. Is that your photo of the moon? (K)
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Yes :)
No, the link to the pic is at the bottom of the post.
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Beautifully written trifecta, Li!
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Thank you very much, Eugi :)
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Most welcome, Li.
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A beautiful sequence Lisa and so glad to hear the rains have come 💙
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Many thanks, Xenia, there is an explosion of green out there right now :)
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I enjoyed the images, but your words speak volumes :D
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Thanks, Jules! It was a real weather rollercoaster last week.
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Stay safe!
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Lisa, this was fabulous! Like Jules said… your words speak volumes! <3
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Thank you, Colleen :)
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Your descriptions were perfect. Did you guys have any of the tornado activity? We could hear sirens but no damage. Thank goodness. <3
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Thank you :) No tornado activity (to my knowledge!) Glad it passed you by, Colleen!
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Same here, Lisa. 😍❤️
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Very pretty and descriptive. We’ve been alternating between high heat and rainy days. “Sol’s hot white stare” was pretty interesting and poetic wording. :)
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Thank you, Susan :)
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Beautiful words and cool photos, Lisa. Your poems really captured the feel of the heat and waiting for rain. I’m glad the rain finally did come!
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Thanks much, Merril :)
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You’re welcome!
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