Major Season (Sekki): Deep Winter
Deep Winter is where there is no sign of the beauty of autumn or spring. The memory of autumn has faded and the hope of spring feels too far away.
Micro-Season (Kō): Snow Crunches on the Sidewalk
This is the time of year when temperatures dip so low that the snow makes a crunching sound.
feral cats shiver
dreaming a warm bowl of milk
hawks perch on rooftops
This haiku highlights the sad plight of feral domesticated animals in harsh weather. Even now I see their tracks in the snow, hoping a careless bird or chipmunk comes their way. There are places they can huddle around the property and I’ve begun to put out cat food for them. Hawks must eat also. I see them perched high in the trees also waiting for careless prey. The circle of life goes on.
Poet Biography
I’m a poet who enjoys tuning into nature as an endless source inspiration. Whenever literal may also serve as metaphor is when I’m happiest as a writer.
Seasonal Fish
Whitefish, caught by intrepid fishermen, is available year round. The local fish market sets fresh fillets but also has their smoker going for delicious smoked whitefish. They now have a machine that takes the bones out so it may be enjoyed even more conveniently. Lake perch are also available if you are brave enough to go out on the ice, or if you know someone who is. Lake perch is best cut into boneless fillets, dusted with flour and deep-fried, with tartar sauce (mayonnaise and relish) and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Seasonal Vegetables
Hydroponic salad greens are available from a local farmer. These include micro-greens, spinach, and leaf lettuce. Best washed in ice cold water, then tossed with vinegar and oil or a favorite salad dressing.
Seasonal Activities
Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, luging, and ice skating are all at their best at this time of year, as the temperature are sustained below freezing and the snowfall keeps the powder fluffy. All trails and the skating rink are meticulously maintained. Wood fire are burning in a rest area for those who want heat and a warm beverage.
Preview of Next Ko
The next kō will continue to be in the Major Season of Deep Winter. It is called Coyotes Howl. The whitetail deer are getting worn down in the tall snow. Coyotes take advantage of it and howl to call the pack in when a straggling doe is found.
(I will add more images to this later!)
Today I am the host of dVerse’ Poetics. I say:
create your own major season and then a micro-season, or kō within it using the format below. Create one based on the season you find yourself in. If possible include images, artwork, drawings, photos, etc. from your community to help bring it into three dimensions.
The format for each kō is as follows:
•the title of the Major Season or Sekki
•outline why it is called that
•the title of the micro-season or kō
•outline why it is called that
•write a haiku that speaks to the kō
•include insider information on the haiku and include information about the poet (you)
•seasonal fish, information about it, and including ways to prepare it
•seasonal vegetable, information about it, and ways to prepare it
•seasonal activity, often including the holiday or tradition involved, etc.
•a preview of coming attractions for the next kō
In addition, there are images of artwork, drawings, photographs, etc. of the highlighted
Tao Talk 
Oh… I might have misunderstood your prompt a bit, I tried weaving all the aspects of the micro season into a haibun… hmm At least it was fun doing so. I love what you did, and how much I learned about you and the world you live in.
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Bjorn, I think you got it just right. I love learning about where you live also. I had no idea that Lapland was part of Sweden. Did you know that netflix has a wonderful Christmas movie called, “Klaus” where the Lapland people are featured in it? It’s a real charmer of an animated movie.
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Lapland is stretching over several countries of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia.
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Even more fascinating, as it sounds like Lapland has its own movable borders, where it carries its country with it…
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That salad looks simply scrumptious, Lisa! Yummy! Did you make it?
❤
David
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David, in that pic it was various greens being soaked and washed for the salad. The local farmer I go to has a large hydroponic greenhouse so fresh local produce is available year-round.
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The circle of life goes on even in the winter season. I hardly see any feral cats here, just mostly squirrels & domesticated dogs. I enjoyed learning about your part of the world.
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Grace, so glad you don’t have feral cats. Thank you and glad you liked learning about my ‘hood.
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Lovely haiku and notes on haiku….and your post guided me, WAS my guide…thank you so much for the prompt, and it was a thrill finding out about life around you, is so interesting..
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Ain, I knew the content coming out of the prompt would better acquaint us with each other and our places in the world and am so content to read everyone’s offerings. I love that you sit around the campfire and tip the jug and watch dancing in the free air.
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This is an interesting prompt Li. Great take.
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Feel free to participate in it, Sadje!
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I will if I have time. Thanks
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I left you the majority of my comment on the dVerse site, but I have to commend you on the depth you probed here – fascinating and effective.
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Rob, you’re my buddy. Thank you. The idea was lifted from that app so I can’t take credit for it.
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Li, I enjoyed this. The haiku and the explanation gives me a glimpse into life out there.
I enjoyed collecting all the information to share.
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🙂 Glad you enjoyed my ko, thank you very much. I enjoyed yours also.
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A good window into this season in your part of the world. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. Guess what? I had a *very* interesting dream last night, and it will make a great collage. Can’t wait to post it to see what you think of it.
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Great! The more collage, the better.
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Indeed,the hawks and cats must eat…its so sad that they must spend the cold winter shivering in hunger,while we bask in the warmth of our fireplaces… 😦
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Veera, it is truly sad. It’s a wonder they can survive.
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I enjoyed this glimpse into your world. It’s a very good prompt. I had a go at it but am not sure I met all the criteria.
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Suzanne, I just finished reading yours. Describing what your place in the world was what I was going for and you surely did. Glad to give you a glimpse of my world as well. Hoping your grandson gets well soon {{{HUGS}}}
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Thanks Lisa. I’m glad my haiku worked. I wondered if I’d done it right when I saw everyone else had included seasonal food. My diet is weird at the moment, I ate dahl for tea last night because it was so cold but the night before that it was too hot to eat much so I just a berries and yoghurt!
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You’re welcome. I’ve been making a lot of soup to try and stay warm. Berries and yoghurt does sound very cooling.
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